Three-way tie sets up President’s Cup shootout

A three-way tie at the top has blown the President’s Cup wide open, with Michael Wallace, Darlington Chikanyambize and David Amm all locked on eight-under-par heading into the final round at Bulawayo Country Club.

All three sit on 136 after 36 holes, and none has managed to shake the others, setting up a straight fight over the last 18 holes this morning in a tournament already showing its teeth.

Wallace found his rhythm after a steady start, backing up his opening three-under-par with a controlled five-under yesterday to force his way into a share of the lead. Chikanyambize produced one of the rounds of the day, a clean six-under 66 that lifted him from ninth into contention in one strong surge.

Amm has stayed within touching distance throughout and now finds himself right in it, holding firm after another solid round in conditions that kept shifting, with rain and even hail threatening to disrupt play.

Behind them, Liberty Gumisa slipped but remains close enough to strike. He dropped to fourth after a frustrating day on the fairways, finishing one-under and moving to seven-under overall, tied with Clive Nguru, who followed his opening five-under with a steady two-under to stay in the mix.

Robson Chinhoyi, the order of merit leader, has also worked his way into contention. He closed on seven under after a composed second round and will fancy his chances if the leaders blink.

There was movement across the leaderboard as the course demanded more from the field. Chikanyambize’s rise from ninth to second underlined how quickly things can turn, while Wallace climbed from fifth to share top spot.

Not everyone kept pace. Ryan Cairns, who had gone to bed second after an impressive opening round, struggled through a difficult day, carding 74 as heat, rain and a brief hailstorm made conditions unpredictable.

With US$35 000 at stake, the pressure is real. The winner will walk away with US$5,600, with strong rewards down the field, though the gap between the top and the rest means the final round will come down to composure.
Tournament co-ordinator Edgar Mashingaidze said the event had come alive at the right time.

“It is a hive of activity, it’s a festival of golf. Some good scores came yesterday, and today we see a different challenge with amateurs testing their skills against professionals. In the morning, we saw some good scores; we have a triple challenge on minus eight; there is everything to play for tomorrow,” he said.

Everything now points to a tight finish. Three leaders, a chasing pack within reach, and a course that has already shown it can bite back. Someone has to break.

Scoreboard after 36 Holes
M Wallace – 136
D Chikanyambize – 136
D Amm – 136
L Gumisa – 137
C Nguru – 137
B Chibvuri – 138
R Chinhoyi – 138
J Allard – 139
T Masunga – 139
T November – 141
R Cairns – 141
V Mapywanya – 141
P Sembo – 141