Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Stuart Krog and David Amm walked away from the Sunshine Tour’s Stella Artois Players Championship with something to hold on to. Both made the cut at Randpark Golf Club in South Africa, and Krog pushed his way into the top 20 after a strong weekend.
Krog finished tied for 15th on ten under par, a tidy return from a demanding four rounds. He picked up 20,90 points on the Order of Merit after posting scores of 64, 70, 71 and 69. His opening 64 put him in the mix early and he closed day one in second place.
The organisers crammed the third and fourth rounds into a single Saturday to dodge expected bad weather on Sunday. It turned the day into a 36-hole test, one that stretched every player in the field.
Amm held his own and made the cut as well. He closed the week on level par, finishing in a tie for 57th after rounds of 69, 67, 72 and 76. He shared that spot with Lwazi Gqira and Strydon Jean-Paul.
Five Zimbabweans started the week, although Nyasha Muyambo, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa and Robson Chinhoi couldn’t get past the cut line.
The title went to former Zimbabwe Open champion JC Ritchie, who ended the tournament on 17 under par. He went into the final day tied with Bryce Easton on 15 under after rounds of 65 and a scorching 63 from Easton.
Ritchie closed with a 69 to seal it, building on a season that has already seen him win three times on the HotelPlanner Tour while securing the Road to Mallorca crown. This one meant a little more for him, as it was his first win on home soil since 2022.
derick.khumalo