Zim hopefuls fall short in Dunhill push

Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub

THREE Zimbabwean professionals chased a place in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and came away with nothing to show for their effort after a tense Pre-Qualifier at Benoni Country Club. The championship tees off this morning at Royal Johannesburg, and for a moment, it looked like at least one local player might sneak in.

David Amm came closest. He played with purpose, kept himself in range all day and missed out by one shot. His two under par 70 fell just short of the projected qualifying mark of three under. He closed tied for 16th while Nyasha Muyambo finished in a share of 64th on five over 77. Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa could not complete his round.

Amm’s scorecard showed how hard he pushed. He made a birdie on the third hole, then slipped with a double on the eighth to turn in 37. He settled again after the turn. Three birdies on 10, 12 and 14 gave him another chance at the cut, although he dropped a shot on 16. He finished with a birdie on 18 for an inward 33.

Muyambo’s card carried its own story with three birdies, six bogeys and a double bogey.

Zimbabwe will still have strong representation in the main field. Stuart Krog, Benjamin Follet-Smith, Robson Chinhoi and Kieran Vincent are all set for the first round at Royal Johannesburg this week.

The Alfred Dunhill Championship has grown into one of the headline events on the calendar since its launch in 2000 at Houghton Golf Club. Anthony Wall won the first title. Adam Scott lifted it in 2001. Justin Rose followed in 2002. Charl Schwartzel claimed the 2004 edition, the last before the event moved to Leopard Creek. Each of those players earned their first professional win at this tournament.

Ernie Els won the first Leopard Creek staging in 2005. Schwartzel went on to dominate with four career wins, adding titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015. His 12-shot victory in 2012 on 24 under remains a record. He has also finished runner-up five times at Leopard Creek.

Recent history has stayed in South African hands. Christiaan Bezuidenhout won in 2020. Ockie Strydom followed in 2022. Louis Oosthuizen took the 2023 crown. Shaun Norris won last year and returns to defend it.

The event is co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour. — @brandon_malvin