Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
SOUTH AFRICAN Daniel van Tonder who shot an impressive four under par at yesterday’s practice round has trust himself in the reckoning for the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Open golf tournament which tees off this morning at Royal Harare. Van Tonder is coming from a good week in the Zanaco Masters where he finished tied on 24 is high on confidence as he returns to Zimbabwe.

The South African also had a good 2016/17 season in which he had five top five finishes. According to the Sunshine Tour, van Tonder who represents Durban Country Club played in the Ernie Els World Junior Invitational Tournament in 2008 and in 2009 he played in the Shield IPT Challenge Team in Port Elizabeth and was awarded Player of the Tournament.

Later that year he was in the winning team at the Junior IPT in Bloemfontein, and was awarded the most valued player trophy.

He represented South Africa on various occasions in 2010 and won the Amateur of the Year award in the Golf Digest in the same year.

In January 2011 he led the South African Amateur Golf Rankings and was 23rd on the World Amateur Rankings.

He turned pro in February 2011 and played the IGT Tour where he won 10 out of 18 events and became a member of the Sunshine Tour in 2012, finishing second at the Sunshine Tour’s Qualifying School.Van Tonder said he is looking forward to a great week.

“I’m playing nicely at the moment and this being the first tournament I look forward to a good game.

“I played well in the pro-am yesterday. I’m rolling the putts quite nicely which is the main thing around this course. The greens are so good, so the best player can take it,” he said.

The local contingent’s challenge will be spearheaded by top Order of Merit player Mark Williams who is 48th while in form Trinos Muradzikwa, Ryan Cairns, Tongo Charamba, Robson Saurombe, Phillip Tshuma, Brian Gondo, Greg Bentley, and Julius Kamalizeni will also be expected to do well.

Local professional golfer Tonderai Masunga who graduated from the amateur ranks and made the cut through pre-qualifiers, said he would be happy to see a local win the 2018 Zimbabwe Open.

“I think we are up there and we will try our best and make sure we are well represented. I never doubt local talent and I know we can match the South Africans.

Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
SOUTH AFRICAN Daniel van Tonder who shot an impressive four under par at yesterday’s practice round has trust himself in the reckoning for the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Open golf tournament which tees off this morning at Royal Harare. Van Tonder is coming from a good week in the Zanaco Masters where he finished tied on 24 is high on confidence as he returns to Zimbabwe.

The South African also had a good 2016/17 season in which he had five top five finishes. According to the Sunshine Tour, van Tonder who represents Durban Country Club played in the Ernie Els World Junior Invitational Tournament in 2008 and in 2009 he played in the Shield IPT Challenge Team in Port Elizabeth and was awarded Player of the Tournament.

Later that year he was in the winning team at the Junior IPT in Bloemfontein, and was awarded the most valued player trophy.

He represented South Africa on various occasions in 2010 and won the Amateur of the Year award in the Golf Digest in the same year.

In January 2011 he led the South African Amateur Golf Rankings and was 23rd on the World Amateur Rankings.

He turned pro in February 2011 and played the IGT Tour where he won 10 out of 18 events and became a member of the Sunshine Tour in 2012, finishing second at the Sunshine Tour’s Qualifying School.Van Tonder said he is looking forward to a great week.

“I’m playing nicely at the moment and this being the first tournament I look forward to a good game.

“I played well in the pro-am yesterday. I’m rolling the putts quite nicely which is the main thing around this course. The greens are so good, so the best player can take it,” he said.

The local contingent’s challenge will be spearheaded by top Order of Merit player Mark Williams who is 48th while in form Trinos Muradzikwa, Ryan Cairns, Tongo Charamba, Robson Saurombe, Phillip Tshuma, Brian Gondo, Greg Bentley, and Julius Kamalizeni will also be expected to do well.

Local professional golfer Tonderai Masunga who graduated from the amateur ranks and made the cut through pre-qualifiers, said he would be happy to see a local win the 2018 Zimbabwe Open.

“I think we are up there and we will try our best and make sure we are well represented. I never doubt local talent and I know we can match the South Africans.