History is Made at Kenya Open with first Ugandan Player to Make the Cut on DP World Tour

Ronald Rugumyao is a name not any golf fanatics would have come across before this weekend. The Ugandan 31-year-old is ranked just inside the top 3000 in the world at 2,901. He had played in over a dozen Sunshine Tour events but, this weekend, became the first player from Uganda to make the cut on the DP World Tour.

His Friday round of 70 at the Kenya Open was finished with a nervy ten-footer birdie putt on 18, and this was a must-make to get through the cut on the number A downhill, right to left putt it sneaked in the side door as Rugumayo dropped to his knees, ecstatic with the history he had just made.

“That is just brilliant” 👏

Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo makes the cut courtesy of this birdie at the 18th! 🇺🇬 #MKO2024 pic.twitter.com/aJA0LbAY0Q

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 23, 2024

Uganda has fewer than 20 golf courses and no representation in the major golf tours. This marks a huge step forward for the nation, alongside Riger Sali’s legitimate “grow the game” mantra driving the game forward in Uganda by making golf accessible for younger kids.

Rugumayo’s putt has been circulating social media, again showing the importance of a cut line and what it means for the game, especially in terms of growing the game and getting more players from all over the world into the spotlight. A country with well-documented issues for young people in the past, the shift towards competitive sport can only be a good thing for Uganda, and Rugumayo is leading the way for the next generation of athletes.

“Everything I’m doing is for my country. I would feel great in the future to see more players from Uganda doing better than I’m doing.” 

Ronald’s mantra on social media is “Golfing to Inspire.”

For more information on Sali’s story and the movement taking place within Uganda, check out this video.

Cover Image via PGA Tour