Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
LOCAL players have been tipped to end a 15-year title drought on home soil as the FBC Zimbabwe Open tees off tomorrow at Royal Harare Golf Club.
The country’s premier golf championship runs until Sunday, with a strengthened local contingent and renewed corporate backing raising expectations for a Zimbabwean face to secure a podium finish.
Zimbabwe Open Golf Committee member Chaka Nziradzemhuka said preparations among local professionals have intensified since the tournament dates were confirmed.
“I think we have a chance and the guys have been working hard,” Nziradzemhuka said.
“We have players who are capable of competing against the world’s best.
“It has been a long time since a local player took to the podium on home soil.”
No Zimbabwean professional has won the event at home since the legendary Mark McNulty’s victory in 2000.
The late Anderson Rusike remains the only Zimbabwean amateur to win the title, taking the inaugural edition in 1984.
This year’s field will feature several local players competing regularly on the Sunshine Tour, Safari Tour and Big Easy Tour.
Headlining the Zimbabwean charge is Kieran Vincent, who is currently in form on the Asian Tour, alongside recently turned professional Darlington Chikanyambidze.
Also expected to contend are Robson Chinhoi, Nyasha Muyambo, Ignatius Mketekete, Visitor Mapwanya, Benjamin Follet-Smith and Ryan Cairns.
Chinhoi was the top-placed Zimbabwean last year, finishing tied for seventh, while Stuart Krog placed 20th.
The 2026 edition carries increased prize money, which organisers say will attract a stronger international field and raise the level of competition.
Several new sponsors have also come on board, signalling growing corporate confidence in the event.
The Zimbabwe Open was first played in 1984 and, from 1985 to 1992, formed part of the Safari Circuit, drawing European Tour professionals during the northern winter.
It later joined the Challenge Tour before becoming part of the Sunshine Tour in 1993.
When scheduled before the Nedbank Golf Challenge, it attracted major winners, including Vijay Singh and Nick Price, both three-time champions alongside McNulty.
This year’s tournament will also include five slots for top-ranked amateurs as organisers aim to strengthen the local talent pipeline.
Nziradzemhuka said the combination of competitive local form and fresh sponsorship gives Zimbabwe its best shot in over a decade.
“It has been long since we had a local player winning the tournament, and I am hopeful we will make it this time around.”
