adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
EIGHT golfers made it into the 2015 Golden Pilsner Zimbabwe Open following the pre-open qualifier held at the Royal Harare Golf Course last week. The eight will be part of a strong field of over 147 golfers expected to grace this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Open.
Kieren Vincent top scored with 69, followed by David Amm, another amateur who scored 71, the same as Richard Chitakatira, Garth Dale and Bryn Flanagan while the trio of John Bele, Mike Maile and Dwayne Basson each scored 72.
Bulawayo’s Peter Banda fell out after scoring 74, the same as the recently turned professional, Stephen Simukai, a product of Hwange Golf Club.
The Zimbabwe Open tees off at the pre-open qualifier venue tomorrow and ends on Sunday.
Defending champion, J’be Kruger who won the tournament for the second time since its re-introduction on a score of -18, is largely expected to defend his title.
The South African carded a 6-under-par 66 to finish on 18 under par.
Another golfer from across the Limpopo, Jacques Blaauw took sole second on 17 under par thanks to a 68 on the final day. Haydn Porteous also a South African struggled to a 73 in the final round to finish in third place.
The annual open tournament was successfully re-launched in 2010 and it has grown from strength to strength over the past three years. The tournament is considered a top tier event on the Sunshine Tour.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter