Prime
Zimbabwean Chinhoi fires 64, Opio thrills with 66 on Day One
Chinhoi (L) and Opio (R) set ablaze the par-71 Entebbe course with scintillating rounds on Day One on October 30, 2019. PHOTOS BY EDDIE CHICCO
Zimbabwean Robson Chinhoi signalled a big warning that he is here to claim all honours after he fired an opening round of seven-under 64 to lead to the Castle Lite Entebbe Open yesterday.
The man from Harare leads the field at the fourth event of the Safari Tour Series by two shots after fired eight birdies and a bogey at the par-71 course.
“I had a good start and a strong finish,” said Chinhoi after he cooled off at the East Africa’s oldest clubhouse.
Flying to Entebbe three days ago, Chinhoi arrived for his third event here after taking respective eighth and joint-tenth place finishes at the 2018 and 2019 Uganda Professionals Open championships.
Chinhoi recently signed up for the Safari Tour, a route to the 2020 Magical Kenya Open, which is part of the PGA European Tour and he began it in gear.
His birdies were sweet and stellar on Holes par-4s’ No.9 and No.3, the short par-3 No.8, and five long par-5s’ on No.1, No.7, No.11, No.15 and No.18.
“I almost hit every green in regulation. When you are hitting good and putting it good, the mistakes are very few,” the 28-year-old described his round. He however, three-putted for a bogey on par-3 No.12.
His best round in Entebbe at the Open last year was two-under 69 on Day One. The Royal Harare Club player is keen on minimizing the pressure on Day Two as the race for the Shs40m purse intensifies today.
“I just to maintain the score but I can’t control the outcome. I just want to focus on stroking and striking it well. Since this is a race to the Kenya Open, I wish I could make it,” added Chinhoi. Chinhoi is closely monitored by Ugandan Silver Opio and Kenyan Kopan Timbe tied at five-under 66.
“I won’t speak to the media at this moment,” Opio offered. He had a smart round of seven birdies only pegged back by bogeys on Holes No.1 and No.4.
As the amateurs join in, a cut for the pros will be made to the top 20 who will remain the quest for the Tour points and the kitty on offer.
SAFARI TOUR SERIES
CASTLE LITE ENTEBBE OPEN
DAY ONE LEADERBOARD - TOP 10
1 Robson Chinhoi (ZIM) 64
T2 Silver Opio (UGA) 66
T2 Kopan Timbe (KEN) 66
4 Kenneth Bollo (KEN) 69
T5 Justus Madoya (KEN) 70
T5 Herman Mutaawe (UGA) 70
T7 CJ Wangai (KEN) 71
T7 Lawrence Muhenda (UGA) 71
T7 Tony Omuli (KEN) 71
T7 Greg Snow (KEN) 71
SAFARI TOUR - ENTEBBE OPEN
TOURNAMENT NOTEBOOK
Edition: 10th
Venue: Entebbe Golf Club
Dates: October 30 - November 2
Series: Safari Tour
Sponsors: Castle Lite, Absa, and Pepsi
Pros kitty: Shs40m (about $10,000)
Format: Stroke-play
Tournament Director: Jacob Byamukama
Tournament Referee: Vincent Wang’ombe
