adminMusemburi, who comes into the event through the pre-qualifying round held at Chapman on Sunday, believes he has put in a considerable effort to get into the Open tournament.
“I hope I can make an impact as I have been practising during the past weeks for the big event.
“Playing in such a field always gives one some confidence and I think the field is still open and anyone can make it. I am looking forward to some decent rounds and one with few shots will make the fortune.
“I am happy to be among the top players and now look forward to at least make the cut,” Musemburi said.
Chitengwa, who was exempted to join the final field, said he is happy to take part in the country’s biggest event and believes the field is even.
“As everyone else in the event is looking forward to doing well and I will work hard for that. If I can manage to do justice to my putting, then my game will come out positive,” Chitengwa said.
All the players who confirmed their participation in this year’s event begun to troop in on Monday and had some practice rounds on Tuesday and yesterday.
The first round will be graced with several big names on the Sunshine and European Tours players and some top amateurs.
Zambezi Tour director Mike Mahachi believes they have done enough for the prestigious golf tournament to tee off and is looking forward to a great week ahead.
“I think we will have a good week ahead from all the entries that had confirmed all are here and we do not have any casualties so far as we go in the first round,” Mahachi said.
“All the players have arrived and most of them had some practice rounds as they started to troop in on Monday.
“We have a competitive field and the event is open but you can not manage to ignore some players like Darren Fichardt, Thabo Maseko, previous winners Thenius Spangenburg and Chris Swanepoel with locals we have Ryan Cairns who is playing well and Sean Crocker.
“There is talent locally and we are hopeful that they can do well with the likes of Tongo Charamba, Ignatious Mketetekete, Phillip Tshuma and several others,” Mahachi said.
However, some players within the Zimbabwe Proffessional Golfers Association beg to differ with Mahachi as they felt they only had two tournaments ahead of the Zim Open while the South Africans have been playing week in week out.
The weather forecasters have predicted some much favourable days on all the coming days and golf enthusiasts are happy that it has come at a good time.
John Milazi an amateur golf player said the event is the most entertaining moment in local golf and will be looking forward to learn something.
“The players here are some of those who we emulate and I believe we can learn something from these big tournaments,” Milazi said.
Total of 156 professional and amateur golf players will take part in this year’s event and yesterday some managed to have the practice round. Two preceding pro-am events were held on Tuesday and yesterday with the first round carrying 40 professionals and 20 respectively.
Online Reporter