Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN FORM golfer Darlington Chikanyambidze continued his stellar run by storming to the top of the Zimbabwe Golf Association’s Order of Merit after clinching a dominant 10 stroke victory at the inaugural Mashonaland East Amateur Championship at Marondera Golf Club over the weekend.
Chikanyambidze amassed 54 points in Marondera to take his overall tally to 304 (eight scores counted), placing him nine points clear of second placed Keegan Shutt, who is in the United States on a college golf programme.
Of his 304 points, 162 came from the four major events on the local calendar, the Harare Amateur (41), Masvingo Amateur (40), Manicaland Amateur (27) and the Mashonaland East Amateur (54). The rest came from consistent performances in club specials; Bata Power Open (36), Hillside Masters (33), SV Muzenda Classic (43) and Platinum Classic (30).
The Royal Harare Golf Club member made history as the first ever winner of the Mashonaland East Amateur, producing a remarkable display that saw him card a five under par 211, leaving Nathan Van Rooyen trailing at five over par 221.
He opened with a two under par 70, matching Van Rooyen’s first round, which included an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys. The second round proved decisive as Chikanyambidze delivered a blistering nine under par 63, storming into an eight shot lead at 11 under par 133, while Van Rooyen sat at three under par 144.
That round featured eight birdies, an eagle, and a single bogey, underlining his dominance. He closed with a six over par 78, which included two birdies, two bogeys and two triple bogeys on the 7th and 17th holes.
Van Rooyen’s final scores were 70, 71, and 80, while Toby Ellis finished third on six over par 222 with rounds of 74, 72, and 76. — @brandon_malvin
