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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
SEASONED Sunshine Tour campaigner Mohammad Mandhu rallied from behind to claim the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Pre-Open title at Royal Harare yesterday.
The Royal Harare golfer started on a low note, carding a two-over-par on the first day, but stormed back in the second round with an impressive six-under 66, to force a play-off with seasoned campaigner Mark Williams.
Mandhu went into yesterday’s final round in sixth place with 10 other players, while Tongo Charamba was the overnight leader after the first day after he shot a three-under-par 69.
But Mandhu turned on the style on the final day to claim the Zambezi Tour-sanctioned event.
Williams had recorded identical scores of two under-par 70 in both rounds.
Williams could have won the event, but for three dropped shots in his final four holes.
“I thought I was playing well in the first round, but I made a few errors on some holes,” Mandhu said.
“So, when I was going into the second round I told myself to play just a hole at a time and it worked for me. It is a good thing that the Zimbabwe Open Committee has organised such an event before the Zim Open.
“We had a good warm-up and it has boosted my confidence ahead of the main event. I have drawn a lot of positives,” he told Zimpapers’ Sportszone.
Charamba settled for third place on three-under par 141.
Ryan Cairns, who is making a comeback from a wrist injury, is showing some promise ahead of the Zim Open as he carded a final round 68 to finish tied in third place alongside Charamba.
Gary Thompson was in fifth place on two-under-par 142.
Online Reporter