Luutu wins 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Seniors Open after rivals falter

Elijah Luutu won the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Seniors Open after a three-day tournament that began on Friday and ended on Sunday morning. Joseph Bagabo and Hassan Pirani both went out of bounds during the decisive closing holes, allowing Luutu to claim his first title in the event.

Luutu established control with a first-round 72, opening an eight-stroke advantage over Bagabo. His second round was less convincing, however, and Bagabo reduced the gap to two strokes before play was suspended after the 15th green on Saturday because of poor visibility.

Pirani also entered the final stage in contention. He resumed on the 16th hole one stroke behind Luutu, but his challenge weakened immediately when he sent his ball out of bounds. The mistake left Bagabo as Luutu’s main threat with three holes remaining.

Bagabo moved level with Luutu on the 17th after making a birdie while the leader recorded par. The pressure increased on the last hole, where Bagabo missed the fairway and Luutu found the preferred position. Luutu then reached the green with his approach, while Bagabo went out of bounds while attempting to shape his shot around the left side of the rough.

Bagabo recovered well enough to limit the damage to a double bogey, but Luutu’s par gave him the result. The champion said the victory ranked above his other achievements in golf and recalled that he had not expected to take part in the seniors’ competition.

Catherine Pavie retained the Johnnie Walker Uganda Senior Ladies Open during the same event, finishing two strokes ahead of Rose Azuba. Attention now turns to the 2026 Johnnie Walker Uganda Amateurs Open Golf Championship.