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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
PROFESSIONAL Zimbabwean golfer Scott Vincent has earned a place in the prestigious LIV Golf League for next year after winning the Asian Tour International Series Order of Merit.
The winning of the order of merit came into fruition after the country’s number one finished in the top 10 at the Indonesia Masters which ended on Sunday and was the concluding tournament of the seven-event series which makes up the International Series.
In the Indonesia Masters, the 30-year-old star, commonly known as “Mhondoro”, carded a final round of 70 to complement his opening rounds of 71, 70 and 67 to finish in a five-way tie for 10th place. He had a par score of -10 under.
Vincent earned US$517 845 for his seven International Series starts. American Sihwan Kim who finished second pocketed US$437 133 in six starts.
In addition to winning the International Series Order of Merit, Vincent finished third in the Asian Tour Order of Merit behind winner Sihwan Kim and second-place Bio Kim.
Winning the order of merit, which he had not planned for, Vincent said he is looking forward to participating in the rich golf event next year.
“It feels pretty special to win the International Series Order of Merit this year, it was not something that was on my radar earlier this year. Now that it is a reality, it’s unreal.”
“It’s incredible. Getting a taste of LIV this year, you want to go back. You want to compete against the best in the world. The fact that I get to do that now, it’s really cool, and I look forward to the challenge,” he said.
His win in early June at the International Series England, the first Asian Tour event played in the European country, not only helped set him up for his run to the Order of Merit title, it also led to playing privileges for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022.
Vincent played in all eight LIV Golf events this season, with his best finish being number 14th in Chicago. He played for four different teams which are Smash GC in London, Cleeks GC in Portland, Iron Heads GC in Bedminster and Torque GC for the final five tournaments. He finished in position 42 on the earnings list.
Asian Tour CEO and Commissioner Cho Minn Thant congratulated Vincent for winning the International Series Order of Merit title and said he wishes to see him defend his title next year.
“Big congratulations to Scott Vincent, it will be a pleasure to see the International Series Order of Merit winner defend his title in our flagship events next season,” said Thant.
Thant added that the International Series has been a gamechanger not just through access to LIV Golf but also because of the prizes on offer and for the experiences that offer a pathway to growth and development for all the players.
The 2023 International Series will include 10 tournaments across the globe, each with prize money of at least US$2 000 000.
In the LIV Golf League, Vincent will get an opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the biggest names in the game. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter