RWANDA’S lead professional golfer Jean Baptista Hakizimana has been invited to participate in this year’s Tony Jacklin West Florida golf tour set for August to December in the US.

Hakizimana told Times Sport yesterday that competing in the West Florida golf tour will enable him secure a Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) tour card to enable him compete in worldwide professional tours. 

The PGA Tour is the organiser of the main professional golf tours played primarily by men in the United States and North America.

"I registered to compete in the upcoming tour and this grants me the opportunity to play for different golf clubs. I have been wishing to compete in such international tournaments because it’s the only way I will improve my career. The West Florida golf tour will help me to secure a PGA tour which will enable me to compete in other high profile championships,” Hakizimana said.

He said he is looking forward to gain experience and exposure to improve his profession.

Currently, Hakizimana is finalising preparations for the 2014 Rwanda Golf Open scheduled to be teed off at Kigali Golf Club on July 2. 

"I hope to use this tournament as a preparation platform for the US tour. I am hoping for the best in this year’s edition having finished second last year,” he said. 

Hakizimana will lead Rwanda’s surge for top honours alongside defending champion Emmanuel Ruterana and Ernest Ndayisenga.

The 2014 edition of Rwanda Golf Open is set to attract 50 professional golfers and close to 100 amateur golfers.

Last year, Ruterana successfully defended his crown in the professional category and eyes will be on him next month as he seeks to win his fifth Rwanda Golf Open title since turning pro in 2005.