admintimes his age.
“I hope to make the cut and be the low amateur. But if I am playing well, getting in the top five will be something very special,” said Crocker.
The prestigious Golden Pilsner Zimbabwe Open will see 156 players getting onto the course for the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday when the cut will be made.
The Zimbabwe golf prodigy said he is handling the pressure of playing in his first major tournament at home very well.
“I do not let the pressure get into me. I try to hit some good shots and have fun and my motivation comes from my family, knowing that I am actually very young but trying to my do best.
“Coming back home is amazing as I got to actually see the family and it’s nice.” said Crocker.
Yesterday, Crocker was set to play a practice round with top local pro — Ryan Cairns — from whom he was hoping to get more information on how the course at Royal Harare is playing.
The young golfer believes that the exposure he has gained in the United States has made him a better golfer, who could give the field a good run.
“Coming back to play home in this professional tournament is very exciting.
“But competition on the golf course is very tough in the United States. There are lots of good players, especially those older than me and they hit the ball very far.
“They are very good tactically, and talented players who go to college to play golf and eventually go on the PGA Tour” he said.
Crocker, son for former Zimbabwe Test cricketer Gary, has previously played at Royal Harare before but said a lot has since changed. “Four years ago was my first trip back home after leaving Zimbabwe and I played at this same course. I remember the layout but not much of the course now.
“Technically I have improved from four years ago because I have got bigger and stronger and I now hit the ball further.
“I have longer clubs and the greens become smaller and easier to putt on,” he said.
Since arriving in Zimbabwe on Thursday last week, Crocker has been spending some time hitting the balls at Royal Harare and is now ready for the challenge.
“I arrived here on Thursday last week and played on Friday and Saturday and Sunday. So I have got a good feeling that I can do well.
“The fairways are lekker and they are very nice and tight and the greens are smooth and fast,” he said.
Crocker reckons that his major challenge will be on hole number 14.
“I probably think that hole number 14 is the most difficult because it is a longer par-5 and I probably am going to go for it in two,” he said.
Online Reporter