Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HISTORY was made this week when teenage golf sensation Miriam Masiya teed off in Jakarta, Indonesia, becoming one of the first players from Southern Africa, outside South Africa, to earn an invitation to the prestigious Junior World Championship. Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) president Olivia Nyamwanza, believes it’s only the beginning for one of the country’s brightest young stars.
The elite event, which began on Tuesday at the Danai Indah Golf PIK Course, is a 54-hole international showdown featuring top junior talent from across the globe. Masiya was selected through the Ciputra Golfpreneur network, with her participation fully sponsored.
“In a tournament founded in 1993, this is the first time that, outside of South Africa, Southern African countries have been invited to participate. Masiya, our elite player, was identified by the founders and invited to play, all expenses paid. This is an opportunity for her to play with other top junior girls.
“We are excited for Miriam and what lies in store for her. This is a fantastic chance for Miriam to gain more experience and exposure on the World Amateur Rankings, competing against some of the top junior golfers,” said Nyamwanza, who is also in Indonesia with the budding talent.
In Tuesday’s opening round, Masiya carded a nine over par 81. After making pars from hole one through eight, she suffered a triple bogey on the ninth, shooting a seven on the par-four hole.
Further setbacks came with a bogey on the par-five 13th, a double bogey on the par-three 15th, another bogey on 17, and a closing double bogey on the par-four 18th.
At the top of the leaderboard, Singapore’s Guo Jun Xi, Japan’s Maiya Okazaki, and Afghanistan’s Bogyeol Kim are tied after each carded a two-under-par 70. They hold a narrow one-shot lead over Indonesia’s Caithlyn Ong, Malaysia’s Amberly Zaira, Thailand’s Prim Prachnakorn, and South Africa’s Lourenda Steyn, all tied for second on one-under 71.
The event continues through the week. —@brandon_malvin
