Scott Vincent off to fine start
SCOTT VINCENT stayed on course in his bid to claim the FBC Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship when got off to a fine start, finishing second after the opening round at Royal Harare yesterday.
As the ultimate golf tournament in the country teed off, Scott Vincent ended the opening day in second place after a fiveunder-par 68 score.
He is involved in a three-way tie with former champion Darren Fitchard, Anthony Michael, and Jacques Blaauw, who also shot five-under.
The trio was, however, two shots behind former Zim Open champion Jaco Ahlers who carded an impressive seven-under-par to stay at the apex of the leaderboard.
South African Ahlers took an early lead after carding a seven-under-par coming into this year’s edition he has 11 titles to his name in the Sunshine Tour and one in the Asian Tour.
The 42-year-old who turned professional in 2006 remains one to watch for going into today’s decisive round where the field will be reduced to 60 players.
Scott Vincent knows that he leads the cast of Zimbabwean golfers seeking to end a 24-year wait for a local to win the Open Championship.
The former Virginia Tech student came in the tournament as the country’s top golf-er having spent some years on the LIV Golf tour.
No local player has won the championship since Mark McNulty’s triumph in 2000.
Before McNulty’s success, Nick Price had won the tournament in three successive years from 1993, 1994, and 1995.
The other locals to win the championship included the late Anderson Rusike in the 984 edition and Tony Johnstone.
Scott Vincent expressed satisfaction with the way his game had gone on Day One.
“I think I am doing well the course was playing well and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s (today’s) round.
“I played well and I hope I continue to do well.
“There is so much support from family and friends so I will stay focused,”said Scott Vincent.
He opened up his campaign with a par on holes 1 1,2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, and 16 while he got birdies on holes number 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 17 and he only dropped a shot on par-four-hole number 18.
Ben Follet-Smith was the other highly-ranked local player after yesterday’s play.
Follet-Smith finished tied on three-under after the 18-holes.
He has always been one to look forward to having won a single Sunshine Tour tournament.
Scott Vincent’s young brother Kieran finished tied on one-under along with Biggie Chibvuri, Tafara Mpofu, and top amateur Mathew Bramford.
On level par is Robson Chinhoi, Promise Sumbreiro Brian Gondo, Tonderai Masunga, Mo-hammad Mandhuand Liberty Gumisa.
Nyasha Muyambo, amateur Keegan Shutt, Ignatius Mketekete, Tongo Charamba, Pride Sembo, are all on one-overpar. Anywhere Katembenuka, Shaahid Mahmed, Stuart Krog and amateur Innocent Mukumba are on two-over-par.
South African, Ahlers took an early lead after carding a seven-under-par. Ahlers is a former Zimbabwe Open champion and coming into this year’s edition he has 11 titles to his name in the Sunshine Tour and one in the Asian Tour.
The 42-year-old who turned professional in 2006 remains one to watch for going into today’s decisive round where the field will be reduced to 60 players.