Pockets Frw 265,000

Ruterana: fifth Pro title
Final leaderboard:
-E Ruterana 143
-H Mutaawe 146
-D Akope 147

EMMANUEL Ruterana relinquished a two-stroke lead before fighting back bravely to win Uganda’s Captains’ Prize tournament on Saturday.

Despite enduring a torrid final day off the tee, the former BCR sponsored golfer birdied holes 1 and 13 before parring the last to complete a successful campaign at the Par-72 Kitante Golf Course.

Ruterana, who had charged two-shots ahead of the chasing pack with a blistering 69 on Friday, clinched his fifth title in the paid ranks with a one-under total of 143.

The Ugandan pair of Herman Mutaawe and Deo Akope had to settle for second and third place respectively after overall scores of 146 and 147.

"I was fortunate to sneak through with the win,” Ruterana said. "For the last four holes, I just looked at the target and swung”.

"But overall it was a good day. It was exciting to get back into the thick of things and feel the heat of the battle,” he noted.

Ruterana’s victory was easily his best result of 2009, bettering his 11th spot finish in the lucrative $6000 Gymkhana Golf Club Captain’s Prize Tournament in Dar es Salaam.

In return for Saturday’s display, Ruterana bagged Shs 800,000 (approx. Frw 265,000) courtesy of Hima Cement, the tournament sponsors.

Jean Baptiste Hakizimana meanwhile missed the tournament’s final day action after confusion in tee-off time. Over 11 professionals were in contention.

Ends