Online Reporter
CLIVE NGURU and Robson Chinhoi are the best-placed Zimbabweans after round one of the FBC Zimbabwe Open golf tournament, which teed off at Royal Harare yesterday.
The local duo carded a three-under-par 69.
After their promising start, Nguru and Chinhoi will carry local hopes into today’s second round, which will determine the cut.
Nguru attributed his solid start to recent backing from Mashwede Holdings, saying the support had boosted his form on the local circuit.
“I am grateful for the support I got before this tournament and I hope to do well tomorrow,” Nguru said.
“I will take each shot as it comes and keep my head down. The course is playing well and I hope to improve in the next round,” Nguru said.
Chilean professional Tomas Gana leads the Zim Open field after a seven-under-par 65.
He holds a one-shot advantage over a six-way tie on six-under 66 between Merrick Bremner, Allen John, Gabriel Morgan, Jaco Prinsloo, Austin Bautista and Ryan van der Klis.
To their credit, the local professionals have not disappointed and instead made a strong showing.
Michael Wallace, Darlington Chikayambidze and Stuart Krog all posted two-under-par rounds, while seasoned campaigner Ryan Cairns sits on one-under. Zimbabwe’s top-ranked player Kieran Vincent opened with a level-par 72 and is tied with amateur Thomas Sinclair.
The tournament continues this morning, with the cut line to be set after today’s round.
