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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
IN-FORM Zimbabwean professional golfer Scott Vincent had probably his worst ranking in the Asian Tour’s International Series after he finished tied on position 53 at this week’s Egypt event which teed off at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday.
With an impressive score on one over, Vincent trails the leader Pawin Ingkhapradit of Thailand by six shots going into today’s second round.
Scott, who is in the same field with his young brother Kieran who is tied on position 12, is enjoying a season of many highs and lows, with the year drawing to an exciting conclusion.
Also in the field is the duo’s close friend Ben Follet Smith who comes into today’s round tied on position 41 after carding a one-under-par.
This week and next week’s visit to Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open could lead to life-changing consequences for the two siblings.
With just four events on the Asian Tour remaining, including the International Series Morocco which was held last week, the Zimbabwean is ranked first on the International Series Order of Merit (OOM) and fifth on the Asian Tour OOM.
But despite the stakes being high, Vincent is staying typically grounded and not looking beyond the job at hand.
“I try not to think about it,” he said. “Obviously, it is there, and people talk about it. For me it’s not a priority, I am just trying to work on being present, being here. This is one of the steps in my career, this is where I am now.
“I am focusing on the very next thing I have to do, which is a press conference I have to be at shortly. And, of course, any opportunity I have to come back and play in Africa it is a great thing,” added the 30-year-old with the distinctive long, blonde flowing hair
The tour journeys next to the International Series Egypt next week, before heading to the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open and the Indonesian Masters, which is also an International Series event.
Vincent finished fourth in last week’s tournament to maintain his grip on the International Series OOM and all that could quickly change, as the Morocco, Egypt and Indonesian events boast purses of US$1.5 million (with the winner earning US$270 000).
“My game comes and goes, it is a work in progress and we try and stick to our routines and work the best with what we have. I am constantly working on it, trying to improve, trying to make my game the best it can be,” noted Vincent.
In early June he recorded his breakthrough Asian Tour victory at the inaugural International Series England. It was his second victory in two weeks as he also claimed the Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour, which secured him a place in The Open Championship for his first Major.
Thanks to his fine season and success in the International Series England, Vincent has been able to play on the LIV Golf Series — which ended last week with the LIV Golf Series Team Championship in Miami.
“Just coming from last week, I haven’t fully digested it. Off the top of my head, those guys who are the best in the world, like Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, they are able to do what they do more consistently at a very high level and very often. I have got to find ways to do that very consistently,” shared Vincent.
Vincent is the highest ranked player from Zimbabwe on the Official World Golf Ranking at position 86 and is attempting to follow in the footsteps of Zimbabwe’s all-time greats Nick Price, Mark McNulty, Tony Johnstone and Dennis Watson.
Securing his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in 2016, he placed fifth on the OOM in 2018 after finishing in the top-10 nine times including three runner-up positions.
Online Reporter