Carrera maintains Zimbabwe Open lead

Brandon Moyo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

LUIS CARRERA continues his search for a first Sunshine Tour victory as he heads into the final round of the 2025 FBC Zimbabwe Open with a one stroke lead over Austin Bautista at Royal Harare Golf Club.

The Mexican, who won the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School in April, signed for a third round 69 to maintain his pole position, having gone into yesterday’s action leading MJ Viljoen by one stroke.

Viljoen now sits in third place, two shots adrift of Carrera.

Carrera made three birdies and a single bogey in the front nine before going on to shoot three more birdies in the back nine, alongside two bogeys, to secure the overall lead in the first tournament of the new 2025/2026 Sunshine Tour season. He is on an overall 14-under-par-202 with round scores of 67, 66 and 69.

Second-placed Bautista signed for an impressive 66 on Saturday for an overall 13-under-par-203.

Viljoen carded 70 yesterday and is now an overall 12-under-par-204 as the battle for the top honours at Royal Harare intensifies ahead of today’s final round.

Carrera continues to make a statement and admitted that he did not have the best of rounds yesterday.

He said it was a difficult outing.

It is his first time playing in Zimbabwe and also his first time in the country.

“I didn’t play as good. I didn’t play great shots … it was tougher but around the greens I was pretty good, so that helped me. The pins were tough today; they were the toughest of the three days, so it made it a little harder. The course is great. I told myself if I play good, I will be in contention to win and I am glad I am playing good. I would love to come back and play in Zimbabwe if I keep my Sunshine Tour card,” said Carrera.

With Carrera being the overall leader, Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi is leading the local contingent on five-under-par-211 after shooting level-par in the third round.

Chinhoi is tied for position nine with Stefan Wears-Taylor and Jean Hugo.

Visitor Mapwanya also shot 72 in the third round and is on two-under-par-214, while Stuart Krog is on one-under-par-215 following a third round 71.

Tonderai Masunga and Muyambo are tied on level-par-216 after 71 and 73, respectively, in the third round.

Shaahid Mahmed is on three-over-par-219, one stroke ahead of Ryan Cairns on four-over-par-220.

A total of 64 players made the cut and a new winner will be crowned at this year’s event after defending champion Michael Hollick missed the cut.