Scott Vincent shines in Asia
ZIMBABWE professional golfer Scott Vincent was outstanding at the weekend when he finished tied ninth at the $1.2 million Fiji International at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course in Asia.
Vincent, who had a bright start to the event, managed rounds of 71, 68, 68 and 71 to make it eight-under 280.
After a disappointing first round, the local prodigy bounced back and made the cut after a brilliant four-under 68 which he followed the same score on Saturday.
The Zimbabwean had been quiet for sometime but managed to make ties with Australians Gareth Paddison and Jarryd Felton at the end of the day yesterday.
Vincent said it has been a great week for him and he enjoyed playing in Asia.
“It’s been a great week. It’s nice to come and play here. First year out here, I can’t be too disappointed with my result this week. One or two shots could have made the difference today but overall, I played really solid.
“It’s still a good week. I have a lot of positives to take away from this week and hopefully I can ride on the good form heading into the remainder of the season,” Vincent said yesterday. The event was won by 44-year-old Australian Jason Norris who took home a winner’s prize purse of $195 421 and moved to seventh place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Australian journeyman Norris faltered a little on the back nine but ultimately held his nerve to secure the biggest payday of his career with a four-stroke victory at the Fiji International yesterday.
The 44-year-old South Australian shot a final round five-under-par 67 to finish on 14-under for the $1.2 million tournament, which is co-sanctioned by the European, Asian and Australasian Tours.
Norris started a shot behind overnight leader Wade Ormsby but surged four clear of the field with six birdies and a single bogey before the turn. Bogeys at the 10 and 15th were mitigated by a seventh birdie at the 13th and he parred the final three holes to finish with a comfortable cushion over compatriots James Marchesani and David McKenzie as well as Thai Jazz Janewattananond.
“It’s taken me 21 years to have a win like this,” Norris said after receiving the trophy from Fiji President George Konrote.
“Now I’ve got a start in Europe and Asia as well. I was going to quit the game last year and now I’m playing all over the world. It’s just fantastic.”
Jazz Janewattananond stormed up the leaderboard with a flawless 64, the 21-year-old hitting six birdies and an eagle three at the par five 17 to claim a share of second with Marchesani (70) and McKenzie (67).
Canada’s Mike Weir finished with a 74 for a share of 35th, a shot better off than his fellow former US Masters champions Angel Cabrera (74) and local Vijay Singh (71) who were among the players tied for 41st on one-under. — Sports Reporter/Reuters.
African Chess Confederation has been able to really get Zimbabwe to host from the base of the school players in the whole continent.
“Zimbabwe has been a very active participant when we host tournaments within the region and they have always come up in very promising positions. So as a host of this event here in Zimbabwe, I am sure that they will be hoping that the home advantage will accrue.
“But they will also be facing stern opposition from the visiting participants so I am sure this makes for a very interesting next one week or so in terms of playing at this level and also identifying the future talents of our great continent,” said Ncube.