Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP Zimbabwean amateur golfers — Keegan Shutt and Tanaka Chatora — finished strongly at the Africa Amateur Invitational Championships at Leopard Creek in South Africa at the weekend.
The duo was part of local amateur players, including boys and girls, who took part in the tournament which drew players from across the continent.
Shutt, who had a slow start, recovered in the last two days for a total six-under 282 to finish second.
The Royal Harare amateur carded 74, 73, 66 and 69 to trail the winner Bryan Newman by two shots missing out on the exemption into the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Investec South African Open, and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions.
Shutt was two shots to the good by the seventh tee but a costly triple-bogey on the par-three checked his momentum.
Shutt kept up the chase with four birdies on the back nine but he had left himself with too much to do and his six-under-par total left him in second place.
Chatora was outstanding with two eagles and five birdies in a superb round of 65 in the first round and finished a distant 16th.
The 18-year-old Chatora had rounds of 65, 75, 77 and 79 for a total 296.
Michael Wallace was the third best placed Zimbabwean in 28th place on 19-over while countryman Darlington Chakanyambidze was a short behind on position 29.
Kelvin Muchenje, Shepard Chiwaya and Vincent Chidambazina missed the cut, which was set at 16-over. Elton Zulu withdrew during the second round.
The girls found the going tough.
Two of them, though, finished in the top ten.
United States-based Danielle Bekker finished ninth with rounds of 78, 80, and 81 while Miriam Masiya was a place behind in 10th place on 24-over-par.
Mathew Masinge