RISING Zimbabwean golfer Nyasha Mauchaza looks set to secure exemption status on the lucrative Web.com Tour after carding a solid round of two-under par 70 during the first of the scheduled six rounds in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in the United States on Thursday.
Daniel Nhakaniso SPORTS REPORTER
Mauchaza, the only Zimbabwean in the field, is tied 23rd position in the tournament where 45 finishers will earn full exemption for the 2015 Web.com Tour schedule.
The Web.com Tour is the main developmental tour in the United States and the main pathway for players hoping to earn playing privileges on the money-spinning US PGA Tour.
Mauchaza made a solid start as he reeled off three birdies in his first five holes before he was pegged birdies two bogeys on the 11th and the 14th.
He managed consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th before closing with a disappointing bogey on the 18th.
The 26-year-old former St George’s College student, who has been quietly making progress in the US qualified for the final stage of the Web.com Tour qualifying school after finishing 11th during the second stage qualifying event at Plantation Preserve Golf Course in South Florida recently.
The Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament which ends on Tuesday will see the top 45 players from the 150 players, who teed off on Thursday earning full exemption for at least the first one-third of the 2015 Web.com Tour schedule.
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In addition to exemption status there will also be prize money on offer for the players with the winner expected to earn $25 000.
Players who finish from positions two to 10th including ties will earn $15 000 each while those who finish between 11 to 45th including ties will earn $10 000 each.
Meanwhile top Zimbabwean budding golfers, Stuart Krog and Kieran Vincent will represent the country at this year’s edition of the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship in Miami, Florida.
The 2014 Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship will be held at the Biltmore Hotel Golf Course from December 26-30. Krog and Vincent earned the right to represent Zimbabwe after finishing first and second respectively in the 2014 Zimbabwe Junior Golf Association Order of Merit Standings.
