Hakizimana takes two-shot lead in Bujumbura

BUJUMBURA. Rwandan Jean Baptiste Hakizimana has taken a two-shot lead going into the third round of the Burundi Open at the Bujumbura Golf Club.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Jean Baptiste Hakizimana produced one of his best performances at the Bujumbura course. The New Times / H. Nkuutu.

Second round leaderboard:*-4 Hakizimana* -2 Muthugia, Mudanyi* -1 Ndiza*Level:Ruterana, Wakhu, NgigeSelected:*+1 Ainley*+3 NdayisabaBUJUMBURA. Rwandan Jean Baptiste Hakizimana has taken a two-shot lead going into the third round of the Burundi Open at the Bujumbura Golf Club.Pitted against the overnight leaders Dismas Ndiza and David Wakhu, Hakizimana scored three under 68 in one of his best performances on the course, as many visiting players struggle to produce their best.The Rwandan had five birdies on holes 2, 5, 6, 13 and 18 but he also had two bogeys on 12 and 15, and pars at the rest of the remaining holes.Ndiza, who has always had the better of his Rwandan nemesis, returned one over 72 despite making a dream start with an Eagle on the first hole and a further four birdies on holes 3, 6, 13 and 15 but three bogeys on 11, 16 and 18 as well as two double bogeys on 8 and 17 dropped him to third, three shots behind the leader.Kenya’s Sullivun Muthugia produced the best round of four under 67 to move into joint second with his compatriot Nelson Mudanyi, who scored three under 68. The pair is two shots behind Hakizimana.Three players including Rwandan Emmanuel Ruterana and two Kenyans, Wakhu and Simon Ngige are level after the second round. Ruterana produced a second consecutive round of 71 on Tuesday to stay joint fourth.Round one joint leader Wakhu returned a disappointing two over 73, while Ngige scored one under to add to his one over on day 1. Kenyan Richard Ainley ended the second round in fifth position after his impressive two under following a disappointing return of three over 74 in the opening round.Another Rwandan player in the 25-man strong field, Ernest Ndayisaba scored one over to add to two over from the first round, which leaves him in the top six and still with a chance to earn a share of the US$10, 000 cash prize for the top 12 players.To date, Hakizimana’s first and last success on the Bujumbura course came in 2011 but after his second round display, he is convinced he can hold his nerve to win another Burundi Open title especially that he takes a two-shot lead into Wednesday’s third round of the tourney which ends tomorrow.