IF THERE were any doubts that a local golfer could win this year’s R1,8 million Golden Pilsener Zim Open title, then those fears were quickly dispelled after a solid start by Tongo Charamba on the opening day of the annual tournament at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
BY HENRY MHARA SPORTS REPORTER
Charamba, always a favourite with the local fans every time he takes to the field in any local tournament, did not disappoint by reeling off an impressive six birdies to finish the day tied fourth at five-under par-67, just two shots behind overnight leader Le Roux Ferreira of South Africa.
He made his intentions clearly early on with a birdie on the third and fifth holes which he followed up with another one at ninth, reaching the turn in a very good position at four-under.
Another birdie followed at the 12th, but a drop shot on the following home briefly stunted his escalation.
However, he regained his composure with two successive birdies on the 15th and 16th to end the first day leading a long list of local golfers gunning for the title at this year’s competition.
Another local hopeful Ignatius Mketekete also had a decent start.
The Tour Players Championships and Pre-Open Classic champion started the day pretty well with two birdies on the first and third hole, but a bogey on the fifth, his first of the day, derailed his early progress.
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Another birdie on hole nine saw the Zvishavane-born golfer reaching the turn in a relatively good position at two-under-par, but then another bogey followed immediately.
Mketekete’s fourth and final birdie arrived on hole 12, but as was his character all day yesterday, he dropped another shot on the final hole to finish the day one-under par-71 and six shots behind opening day leader.
He will start Day Two tied at position 45, the position he shares with another Zimbabwean Ryan Cairns who had an uneven day with an eagle at hole three, two birdies and three bogeys. The three are the only locals in the top 50 after Day One.
