Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ALTIN van der Merwe was crowned the 2026 Zimbabwe Open Champion at Royal Harare yesterday.
The South African won the title by four strokes at 21-under par.
The 29-year-old golfer went into the final round with a four stroke lead and managed to hold on for his maiden win on the Sunshine Tour.
“I’m very pleased. First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to my wife. This is her first Mother’s Day, and I’ll see her tonight and see if I can treat her,” said Van Der Merwe.
Australian Austin Bautista finished as runner-up for the second year running after carding a final round 68 to finish on 17-under par.
Another South African, Kyle Barker, settled for third on 15-under after managing 70 on the final day, while Tyran Snyders shot the best score of the round, a 7-under par 65, which was only enough to lift him to fourth on 14-under par.
Kieran Vincent was the highest-placed Zimbabwean after he finished in a three-way tie for ninth at 10-under par in four rounds.
After staging a spirited fight back yesterday, Vincent, who pulled a massive crowd could only manage two-under par on the final day.
