adminThe golfers shot a six-under-par 66 to go into this morning’s round leading the field at Royal Harare.
South Africa-based Cairns is hopeful he will continue his fine form.
The two are likely to be drawn in the same last ball.
“I am happy with my outing and my efforts are starting to pay off now. I give credit to my father Terry, who is also my coach, for the good outing.
“I have been playing a lot of golf without much success but today my hard work was rewarded.
“Going into tomorrow’s game I want to keep my head down and concentrate as much as I can.
“I hope to score many birdies as well. I just need to keep the good attitude and enjoy my game and if my putting goes well then I will be happy,” Cairns said.
Borrowdale Brooke-based Bentley credited Terry Cairns for helping his game.
“I started working with Terry last week and it has paid off. He is a good coach I have learnt a lot within the two weeks we were together. I think tomorrow I will try to maintain my score but, as you know, anything can happen with this game,” Bentley said.
Amateur golfer Bernard Magaso had a good outing to settle on an overnight five-under-par 67.
Magaso got the better of several professional golfers.
“I hope to maintain the spirit and do well,” Magaso said.
Dean Schoultz finished on two-under-par 70 after a good round.
Trainos Muradzikwa and Day Muyambo were on one-under-par 71 while Dale Howie and Zambian Patrick Mwendapole completed the round on level par scores.
Golf rules returned to haunt pre-tournament favourite Ignatius Mketekete who was deducted two shots.
Mketekete dropped the ball on the green instead of placing it, which saw him getting a two-stroke penalty.
“It is one of those things which happens in the game and it is still game on with 36-holes still to play,” Mketekete said.
The golfer eventually went home sitting on a one-over score 73 and will today be trailing the pacesetters by seven shots.
Mwendapole is making Zimbabwe his second home having participated in several Zambezi Tour tournaments like the Hwange Open and the Lowveld Pro-Am.
The only women in the field, Claire Minter, carded a 78.
Meanwhile Tongo Charamba completed the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship on four-over par yesterday. Charamba went into the tournament as an exempted player after finishing seventh at last year’s event. Former Zimbabwe Open Champion J’be Kruger is leading the Leopard Creek tournament.
Online Reporter