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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
DESPITE there being a strong field of golfers lining up to tee off when the FBC Zimbabwe Open gets underway at ROyak Harare this morning, Kieran Vincent is hopeful he can turn the tables in the championship.
Kieran is one of the Vincent brothers leading the charge by Zimbabwean golfers in this prestigious competition.
He has somewhat lived in the shadows of his brother Scott but Kieran, who is making his return to the local greens is confident he could upset the strong field of 144 players taking to the field.
Local golfers are looking to end a long wait to land the Zim Open title with Robson Chonhoi and the duo of Kieran and Scott Vincent leading that quest.
The Vincent brothers arrived in the country on Monday and Kieran expressed his happiness at being back home.
“I am very happy to be back home and I am looking forward to the week ahead.
“The greens are running smoothly and the conditions are good. There is so much support and I and my brother are looking forward to do well.
“There is a lot of competition but we have to play against the course. I am glad that after several years I am back home,” Kieran said.
South African, Lily Rowe, a 2016 Zimbabwe Open winner is around and also hopeful of doing well at this year’s tournament.
The Durban-based professional said he is happy to be back and is hopeful of making his presence felt.
“I am very excited to be coming back to Zimbabwe after three years and I thank the Sunshine Tour for the opportunity,” Rowe said.
“The game is looking promising and I am hopeful of doing well.
“I have been playing more in the circuit and I hope my form continues.
“The greens are running well and I am looking forward to the week.
“I am now ready for the finals and everything has changed with the shrubs I left… there are now full-grown trees and it is a more challenging course now.
“I believe the best player will take to the podium on Sunday as we all have equal chances. I have been playing in the Sunshine Tour and my mind is relaxed and looking forward to the tournament,” said Rowe.
Chinhoi, who arrived in the country on Tuesday from South Africa where he finished in 21st position in the Champions of Champions tournament.
The Mutare-bred professional took the sport by storm as he has managed to maintain his form by competing in the Sunshine tour after winning last year’s Zambia Open.
“I am very happy to be back home and looking forward to the tournament as it gives us a platform to showcase our talent.
“There will be tough competition but I am ready and looking forward to the tournament.
“There are strong players but with golf, it depends on the day and we cannot predict anything until after the opening rounds. “My intention is to go out there and enjoy as much as I can and see how it goes.
“My aim is to do well and come out with as positive result,” said Chinhoi.
Another Zimbabwean player, Ignatius Mketekete, believes there is a lot to look forward to as the local guys got some game-time before the main event.
“Our worry was always not having some game-time before the main event but this time we had four tournaments which saw me reconsidering my position as I had left the sport.
“I just made a return to do what I like doing best and I think I am good to go as I have managed to compete with some players who have been in the game.
“I am feeling good and everyone is now confident that the game is still there and are raring to go.
“It was a hard decision to quit golf for seven years but I will count on my experience going into the FBC Zimbabwe Open,” said Mketekete.
Bulawayo Golf Club player Brian Gondo wants to see a local winning the competition.
“We are very grateful and looking forward to the tournament and it will be a good thing to see one of us taking to the podium in several years,” added Gondo.
FBC Holdings Limited headline the list of sponsors for the event, which has a lucrative prize fund of R2 million.
The associate sponsors are Old Mutual, Delta Beverages and OK Zimbabwe while the anchor sponsors, include Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe and Sahwira Events.
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