As the Ugandans were left cursing the inconsistent greens and lounging in the forbidden zones, homeboy Emmanuel Ruterana was savouring an early two stroke lead on day one of the $35,000 (Shs68m) cash rich Mutzig Rwanda Open.

A total cash bounty of $6,000 (Shs11.6m) has been staked for the professionals - a $1,000 (Shs1.94m) increase from last year.

Ruterana, 24, stroked a classy round of three under par 69 at the par-72 Kigali Golf Club to leave the opposition in his wake and stay on course for the $1,200 (Shs2.3m) top cash prize in the elite professionals' category. Ruterana is the defending champion and he will be hoping to increase his lead as the four days of gripping action tickle away.

Another Rwandan, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana is in second position after a round of one-under- par 71 whereas Kenyan professional David Odhiambo is in third position with level par 72.

Uganda's duo of Amos Kamya and Dennis Anguyo (pic) are joint fourth after firing one over par 73 whereas Godfrey Mande is in sixth place after an aggregate of 74. Long hitter Herman Mutawe is seventh with 76 whereas the two hot favourites Deo Akope of Uganda and Kenyan Sam Ngigi share the eighth spot after returning familiar scores of 78.

"The course is not bad but the problem is with the greens. They are so inconsistent. Some are fast and others are too slow. One ends up not knowing how hard to hit the ball on every hole. They are so unpredictable. But it is four days and we shall push on," Akope told Saturday Monitor soon after his unimpressive round on day one.