ZIMBABWE’S Ryan Cairns says he’s happy with his game as he heads into this week’s R1 800 000 Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open which gets underway at Royal Harare Golf Club Open tomorrow.
DANIEL NHAKANISO
The 30-year-old golfer might have endured a tough season on the Sunshine Tour so far, but represents Zimbabwe’s best shot of a home winner in the country’s flagship golf tournament.
Cairns has managed to finish in the top 10 at the Zimbabwe Open in two of the last four editions since its return on the Sunshine Tour schedule in 2010.
Last year he was the highest placed local professional on the final day when he finished in seventh position, having finished in eighth position in 2010.
In an interview with NewsDay Sport yesterday, Cairns said after enduring a tough start to the season in which he missed the cut three times in five events, he feels he has now rediscovered his A-game.
“I’m feeling good about my game. I’ve just been working on a couple of things and my swing is sought of getting into a place where I’m feeling more comfortable about it. I’m also chipping and putting very well,” he said.
Cairns won his first professional event on the Big Easy Tour, the Sunshine Tour’s developmental tour, in March 2012.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
His major breakthrough however came in May 2012 when he won the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Simola Golf and Country Estate on the Sunshine Tour.
Like most Zimbabwean golfers, Cairns’ goal is to one day the national open on his home course.
“Obviously it would be fantastic to win it on my home course. I know every part of this golf course but it can also have its disadvantages as well,” he said.
“For instance, there’s also a lot of pressure that comes with playing on your home course so I just need to stay in my own space and play and enjoy the experience.” Cairns leads a big contingent of 31 local players which includes decorated seasoned golfer Tongo Charamba and the highly rated Ignatius Mketekete.
He said the increase in the number of local entries showed that the sport was heading in the right direction.
“It shows that Zimbabwean players are becoming more competitive and you can see that from the scores in the local tournaments from the amateur tournaments to the professionals on the Zambezi Tour. It’s got a lot to do with the Zimbabwe Open because everyone gets very fired up to play well. It would be nice to see a local player take it home this week.
Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa, through Premier Auto Services — the importer and distributor of Jaguar cars and Land Rover SUVs in Zimbabwe — will also give one lucky golfer the opportunity to win a brand new Jaguar XF saloon by carding an eagle on the 18th hole during the final two rounds.
Zimbabwean golfers in the 2014 Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open field: Local Amateurs: Scott Vincent, Thembelani Vundla, Jack Allard, Christian Mbanga, Clive Nguru, Stuart Krog, David Amm
Local Professionals: Kayyam Mandhu, Ryan Lang, Jason Jackson, Shain Johnson, Scott Ferguson, Davison Elijah, Peter Banda Greg Bentley, Ryan Cairns, Farayi Chitengwa , Brian Gondo, Micky Hough, Dale Howie, Julius Kamalizeni, Simon Katembenuka, Mohammad Mandhu, Ignatius Mketekete, Tranos Muradzikwa, Tich Musemburi , Day Muyambo, Nyasha Muyambo, Robson Saurombe, Sean Farrell, Sheldon Steyn
