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Takudzwa Chitsiga
Sports Reporter
DESPITE losing their golf bags, top Zimbabwean golf-playing brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent maintained their focus as they went on to cash in at the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar es Salaam Red Course in Rabat at the weekend.
Scott, who plays for IronHeads GC, finished in position 13 to pocket US$26 557 and Kieran was in position 28 to pocket US$16 560.
Scott incurred a two-shot penalty — and narrowly avoided a disqualification with seconds to spare — for arriving late at the first tee after his scheduled tee time of 12:30 as he scampered back from the airport to look for his missing stuff.
He then borrowed a set of sticks from the club pro.
His brother, Kieran, ended up teeing off with a hastily assembled set, which included a selection of clubs from friends in the tournament who stepped in to support.
Legion XIII teammate Caleb Surratt supplied the irons, Taichi Kho provided a driver and Ian Snyman chipped in with a wedge. Jaco Ahlers even provided some golf balls for the day.
Given the tricky situation, the rounds were nothing short of spectacular. Scott roared back from his two-shot penalty with five birdies and an eagle on the par-five eighth to sit just two shots off eventual winner John Catlin and Kozuma Kobori of New Zealand.
Kieran started with three bogeys in total, two in his first three holes, but birdies on Nos. 4, 8, 12, and 17 gave the 25-year-old a one-under 72 on the par-73 layout which he “would have signed for straight away” had it been offered before his round.
“I had zero expectations today but feel we learned something that will help us get better in the future,” Scott said.
“So in a way, it was great to play, the pressure was off and I just wanted to see what would happen.
“We have an early turnaround (for the second round) so the plan is to play with the same clubs unless they can be couriered. Entertaining for the Vincents, for sure!”
Kieran said: “Lucky enough, we have some cool people out here on the Asian Tour — it is a friendly tour. A lot of people had clubs, bits and pieces, but obviously, it is hard to make up a full set when you do not have anything, so we have a bit of a mixed bag here.
“I have talked a lot to myself about adapting, no matter what, whatever the situation might be. And so just being able to go out there with none of my stuff, even golf shoes, I am taking in the moment, and we will just take it as it comes.”
International Series Morocco is the eighth event on the Asian Tour and third of 10 elevated events that offer a pathway onto the LIV Golf League. The tournament ran from July 4-7.
Online Reporter