Kenyan professional golfer Daniel Nduva has claimed his first Entebbe Open Championship title, defeating Ugandan Rodell Gaita in a dramatic double-sudden-death playoff at Entebbe Club on Friday.

A Battle to the Finish

Both players finished the 72-hole tournament level at 2-over 286 after four rounds, forcing a playoff on holes 10, 17, and 18 as dictated by tournament rules. The pair remained tied after the opening playoff hole, but Nduva sealed the victory on the second, carding a par on the tenth to edge out his Ugandan rival.

The win marks a significant milestone for Nduva, who previously triumphed at the 2019 Uganda Open at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa. He becomes only the second Kenyan to lift the Entebbe Open, following Jastas Madoya's 2019 success.

Comeback Trail

Nduva's path to glory was far from straightforward. He trailed round-one leader Andrew Ssekibejja by four strokes after the opening day, but a superb 69 in the second round propelled him into the lead at the cut.

Kasango then surged ahead after the third round with a 68, sitting two strokes clear of Nduva and one ahead of Tom Jingo and Abraham Ainamani, who were tied for second on 213 strokes each.

In the final round, however, Ainamani and Jingo faltered, shooting 74 and 81 respectively. That opened the door for Nduva and Gaita, who had been eighth after the third round, to contest the championship.

Rewards and What Lies Ahead

Nduva, who recorded 13 birdies across four rounds, took the largest share of the sh36m prize purse, earning sh5.7m. Gaita, who also managed 13 birdies and one eagle, collected sh3.6m, while Ainamani received sh2.9m.

The Ugandan professionals will next head to the West Nile Open in Arua, before competing in the Kinyara Open in Masindi from November 19 to 21.

Masereka Shines in Amateur Category

In the amateur competition held alongside the professional event, Mackinon Masereka emerged victorious with a 1-over 214 over 54 holes. He finished four strokes ahead of his brother Godfrey Kambale to claim the title and a sh1.9m prize.

Joseph Cwinyaai took third place with a score of 220, earning sh960,000, while Kambale walked away with sh1.2m.