ZIMBABWE’S Brendon de Jonge had a tremendous finish at the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf in Australia, finishing tied for 12th position to put local golf firmly on the world map.
Teeing off with Daniel Nhakaniso
Playing in his second World Cup campaign, de Jonge recovered after a slow start as he shot rounds of 74-72-70-68 to finish on level-par 284 in the event at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
The Harare-born star was tied for 12th position with Germany’s Maximilian Kieffer and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
The US-based professional golfer ended the individual competition as the highest ranked golfer on the continent, outshining the South African pair of George Coetzee and Brendan Grace who finished in a tie for 20th position.
Australia’s Jason Day took a two-shot win in the World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne.
It was an emotional victory for Day, after the Australian golfer lost eight relatives in the recent Typhoon Haiyan which ravaged the Phillipines.
Day managed to hold off a strong challenge from Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who managed to stick with him right until the 16th hole.
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Day pockets a $1,2 million winner’s cheque while splitting $600 000 with world No 2 and compatriot Adam Scott.
The Australian duo thrashed everyone in the team component of the tournament. The United States were second, with Denmark and Japan sharing third. Howie lands breakthrough win at Pilsener Harare Open.
Promising golfer Dale Howie landed the biggest win of his professional career after rallying from behind to win the Golden Pilsener Harare Open by three shots at Chapman Golf Club on Saturday.
Howie, a former captain of the Zimbabwe amateur golf team overcame the tough conditions at the Chapman course due to the wet weather carded 73-71-66 for a 54-hole total of six under par 210.
Greg Bentley had looked well set for victory after firing impressive scores of 67 and 68 in the first two rounds, but had a nightmarish final round, carding a six over par 78.
“Winning my first event at the Golden Pilsner Harare Open is an absolutely amazing feeling,” said Howie. “I have been a professional golfer for just over two years and breaking through for my first win has given me tremendous confidence and self-belief.
Howie walked away with $4 500 while Bentley took home $3 250 for finishing second.
Tranos Muradzikwa and Nyasha Muyambo finished in a two-way tie for third position on level-par 216 while Micky Hough and Ignatius Mketekete were tied for fifth position on one over.
It was a remarkable comeback win for Howie, who trailed the overnight leader Greg Bentley by a massive nine shots heading into the final round.
He added that as experience as the Zimbabwe amateur golf team captain was instrumental in his impressive win.
“Winning my first event at the Golden Pilsner Harare Open is an absolutely amazing feeling. I have been a professional golfer for just over 2 years and breaking through for my first win has given me tremendous confidence and self-belief.
“Having represented Zimbabwe as an amateur, as both a player and player captain, I have experienced the pressure of tournament play and my past experience most certainly helped me to stay focussed,” he said.
Howie said he was hopeful his win would open more opportunities for him in his professional career.
“I’m hopeful that following my maiden win on the Golden Pilsner Zambezi Tour I may be able to attract sponsorship which will help me to compete in more tournaments and to improve my game and ranking,” he said.
