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Mandhu takes positives from playoff loss

Sport
PROMISING local golfer Mohammad Mandhu refused to dwell on the negatives after missing out on a maiden Zambezi Tour win after a playoff loss to Robson Saurombe on the final day of the Golden Pilsener Harare Open at Chapman Golf Club on Saturday.

PROMISING local golfer Mohammad Mandhu refused to dwell on the negatives after missing out on a maiden Zambezi Tour win after a playoff loss to Robson Saurombe on the final day of the Golden Pilsener Harare Open at Chapman Golf Club on Saturday. DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER

Mandhu, who is known for his never-say-never attitude almost, stole the show with a commendable display before he was edged out on the first extra hole by home favourite Saurombe.

Speaking after the playoff loss, Mandhu said he was delighted with the progress he has been making with his game and there are plenty of positives to build on from his performance at Chapman.

“I’m very happy with my performance. I hit the ball very well and scored well. I didn’t shoot over-par in all three rounds and that was a great thing for me. I was just unlucky to fall short in the playoff, but there’s plenty more to come and you will see me winning soon,” Mandhu said.

The 24 year-old golfer is fast gaining a reputation as the dark horse on the Zambezi Tour after going into extra time with the seasoned Tongo Charamba at the Econet Pro Challenge at Royal Harare Golf Club four months ago.

“This is the second time that I have come close to winning; four months ago I came close to winning in another playoff at the Econet Pro Challenge with Tongo Charamba at Royal Harare Golf Club. Ever since then my game has really changed and I have matured as a player and I’ve started to think better on the golf course. Things are starting to improve and I can see the results coming atleast,” he said.

Mandhu, who is the older brother to upcoming golfer Kayyam Mandhu, said he was hoping to gain some valuable experience on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa before going to the Asian Tour Q-School in Thailand early next year.

“I’m going for the Cape Town Open, the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the South African Open in the next three months and hopefully I should be going to Thailand in January for the Asian Tour Qualifying School,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mandhu will be joined by five other Zimbabwean golfers, his young brother Kayyam, Tongo Charamba, Greg Bentley and South Africa-based Sheldon Steyn at the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open Qualifier to be held at the Royal Cape Golf Club November 24.

The Zimbabwean contingent are among the 53 golfers who will be bidding for 15 places in the main field for the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open set for November 27-30 where the winner will receive direct entry into this year’s $6,5 million Nedbank Golf Challenge.