Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE 2025 FBC Zimbabwe Open explodes into action today at Royal Harare Golf Club, with a jaw dropping US$200,000 prize purse on the line.
The country’s biggest golf event is back with fireworks. And, all eyes are on defending champ Michael Hollick, the South African ace who bulldozed the field last year with an under-20 par score to snatch the title.Now, Hollick is back and he’s not hiding his hunger to go back-to-back.
“Royal Harare is a very special place to me,” he said. “I’m ready to go again!”
But the champ isn’t the only story.
There’s a new kid on the block and he’s got people talking.
Enter Nerudo Mregi.
He’s young, fearless and he’s made it into the big league the hard way.
Mregi clawed his way through a pre-qualifier, surviving a tense play-off to punch his ticket to the Open. And he did it with just one practice round at Royal Harare under his belt.
“The cheers from the crowd after I made it… I’ll never forget that moment,” Mregi told Zimpapers Sports Hub.“Seeing my name on the list, with the Zimbabwean flag next to it, wow. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come. I’ll give it my all for my family and my country.”
Mregi is one of 11 amateurs stepping into the lion’s den to take on some of the biggest names on the Sunshine Tour.
Other local names in the mix include Tanaka Chatora, Keegan Shutt, Kelvin Muchenje, and Michael Wallace all hoping to steal the spotlight and rattle the pros.
With the first tee set for 06:20am this morning, the Royal Harare fairways, rough and greens will be alive with drama, pressure, and maybe, even a few meltdowns.
