Zimbabwean golfers shine

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN professional golfer, Visitor Maphwanya emerged as the winner of the 2022 SeedCo Malawi Open Golf Championship which ended on Friday after edging countryman Robson Chinhoi.

Maphwanya, competing against 40 golfers from around the African continent finished the tournament with a gross total of 276 points -12 under par while the 2021 champion, Chinhoi had a gross total of 277 points and -11 under par.

The Zimbabwean golfer took home a prize money of US$2 775 for the win while his compatriot Chinhoi pocketed US$1 526 for finishing in second position. Maphwanya had taken the lead in the tournament from the word go where he was sitting in pole position across the four different rounds which were played during the course of the championship.

In third place, there was Biggy Chibvuri from Ghana and was tied with the highly rated Malawian, Paul Chidale and the two were followed by Sydney Wemba from Zambia. Kenyan Safari Tour winner and Zimbabwean professional as well, Nyasha Muyambo finished in position six tied with Victor Kachepatsonga from Malawi and Gabriel Chibale from Zambia.

In position nine there was another Zimbabwean, Promise Sombreiro while in position 10 sat Rashid Salim from Malawi. Another Zimbabwean Tatenda Makunde finished in position 11 and was followed by countryman, Tafara Mpofu. Tied in position 13 there was Sondashi Mwalikwa from Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Simon Katembenuka and the final 15 list was concluded by Ben Sutcliffe from the host nation.

Meanwhile in South Africa, Zimbabwe junior golf rising star Keegan Shutt was named Player of the Year for the second successive season at KeNako Golf Academy in George, South Africa after another memorable season locally and on the international scene.

The 16-year-old Zimbabwean golfer was the biggest winner at the KeNako Golf Academy awards which were held on Wednesday to reward students for their hard work during the past year.

Shutt was named the Best Overall Player of the Year at the awards ceremony and some of his achievements include winning the Harare Amateur Golf Championship, Nomads Under-23 golf tournament, Matabeleland Open and Lion Stores Junior Challenge. – Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin.