Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWEAN golfer Stuart Krog was crowned the 2026 Mopani Zambia Open champion at Nkana Golf Club on Sunday.
Krog, who has been making waves in the Sunshine Tour, managed to win his maiden title with rounds of 76, 72, 69 and 66 to beat Jason Roets to second place.
He closed with 66 to finish on five under par, one shot clear of Roets, who signed for a final round of 75.
Krog, who ended in joint seventh place at this tournament two years ago and has had multiple top-10 finishes in his Sunshine Tour career, went into Sunday’s final round in joint 14th place on one over par.
“It’s something I’ve dreamt of for the last couple of years, and I’ve had a couple of close calls. I can’t really process any of the feelings right now. It’s going to take a while,” an overjoyed Krog told Sunshine Tour.
It was an impressive comeback after Krog opened the tournament with a 76 that left him in joint 68th position, before he climbed the leaderboard thereafter with rounds of 72 and 69.
“I’m so excited. I mean, being four over par through two rounds, I knew I was going to need a big weekend and a big final day. I just played dream golf today. I loved every second of it and still can’t believe it.
“I just tried to keep calm today, putt well, and hit good shots. I’m glad I got it done today,” Krog said.
In a tournament where only 10 golfers finished under par, and with overnight leader Roets struggling on the final day, Krog rolled in seven birdies and dropped only one shot on his way to the clubhouse lead on five under, with a tense wait for the final group to finish behind him.
A birdie for Roets on the 11th hole saw him move two shots clear, but a run of three bogeys in three holes on the 13th, 14th and 15th dropped him to one shot behind Krog, from which he was unable to recover from over the closing holes.
Haydn Porteus, the Sunshine Tour’s Comeback Player of the Year last season, finished in joint third place on three under par with fellow South African Keagan Thomas, both signing for final rounds of 73.
Defending champion Samuel Simpson (70) shared fifth place on two under par with Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix (75). Meanwhile, Zimbabwean brothers of top professional golfers Scott and Kieran Vincent had a brilliant outing at the International Series Morocco on Sunday.
Kieran, who recently graced the Zimbabwe Open, managed to finish tied fifth, as his elder brother Scott was tied on 10th position.
The 28-year-old Kieran was tied with Australian Elvis Smylie, winner of LIV Golf Riyadh earlier this year, South Africa’s inform Ian Snyman and Japan’s Takanori Konishi after a 14-under-par total.
Kieran had good rounds of 73, 67, 67 and 71 as Scott carded rounds of 73, 67, 73 and 70 for a total of three-under.
