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But at the end of the four rounds, Chris Swanepoel kept his nerve to emerge overall winner with an aggregate score of 15 under 273 and the South African is back, bidding to become only the second man after the legendary Nick Price to win back-to-back Zim Open titles.
Zimbabwean golfer Price won the tournament in 1997 at Chapman and then 1998 at Royal Harare to remain the only man to successfully defend his title.
“It’s always good in Zimbabwe and the people are friendly.
“So it’s a nice place to come back again,’’ said Swanepoel who smashed an incredible six birdies on the first seven holes in his final round last year.
While last year he came into the final round as a dark horse, Swanepoel should clearly be feeling the pressure as the man to beat in the field at this year’s event where he will play the same ball from the 10th tee box with Jake Roos and 2001 champion Darren Fichardt.
In 2011, Swanepoel made up a five-stroke deficit on Trevor Fisher and Ruan de Smidt with his final-round to finish a sizzling eight-under-par 64 to force a play-off with Fisher, that he won on the second extra hole.
“I have struggled a lot. I have not been playing well in the last two tournaments but I will see this week.
“It’s a strong field and everyone can win on the day. It does not matter whom you play but you have to play against yourself instead of playing the other guys,” said Swanepoel.
The South African golfers, as usual have a strong hand in the tournament and Lindani Ndwandwe is also hopeful of putting a solid show.
“I will take it as it comes.
“I have not been doing well in the previous games and I cannot expect much but I am not saying my chances are low but it’s a matter of patience because everyone can play here.
“Whoever, will have a good start can get a chance,” Ndwandwe.
Toft Hotel Golf Club pro, Darryl Lloyd is back at Royal Harare and is also bullish on his chances of making the cut.
“The course is playing better than last year when rains fell and the course was very wet and soft.
“But the weather looks to be good and the course is in great condition and the greens are rolling nicely.
“And I look forward to the week ahead,” said Darryn Lloyd.
Jean-Paul Strydom of Durbanville Golf Club said he has overcome a spate of injuries and is looking forward to a great week ahead
“I have been struggling a lot with my injuries but it’s great to come back this year. But everything is getting back to the right places and I am trying to putt some good scores.
“What I have been working on is to put up three or four good rounds and hopefully my game plan will be good enough,” he said.
Strydom’s career was affected by a wrist injury and a broken leg but he feels he is in better shape to challenge for the R1.65 million at stake.
“At least I have given myself enough time to rest and heal and hopefully I have a chance to win this week.
“I have done a lot of preparations back home and so far my mind is pretty much there and let’s hope that my game plan this week will be good enough.
“I did not play a lot of tournaments when I was back home. I played a few and missed a couple and at the end of the year last year I came out good because I played good.
“I could have done better but I am pleased with I what I did, so hopefully God knows what will happen and I will leave everything else to him.
“I came here on Monday played nine holes and I am hoping my putter will be good enough to hold a lot of putts this week.
“The hitting has not been that bad and I have put up some three rounds in three days and I think that’s a lot enough to practice.
“I have played in the mornings and in the afternoons and that means I have an idea of the morning and afternoon track. So lets hope it could play the same tomorrow, and depending on the wind because it can get windy here and that could play a big factor around this golf course. But the first three days have been nice and calm and lets hope it will stay like that for the whole week,” he said.
Online Reporter