ZIMBABWE’S top junior golfer Kieran Vincent provided the only bright spark as the national side endured a difficult opening round at the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup currently underway at the Chukyo Golf Club in Aichi-Prefecture, Japan, yesterday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Japan and Sweden set the first round target in the prestigious competition at seven-under-par 206, 14 shots ahead of Zimbabwe, who anchor the 15-nation leaderboard on seven-over-par 220.
Vincent fired a level-par round of 71 to finish the opening round as the highest-placed Zimbabwean on the individual standings in tie for 20th.
David Amm, who is making his debut at the competition, opened with a 73 with Justin Kersten carding a 76 while Jack Allard posted a non-counting 80.
Neighbours South Africa made a bright start to the competition as they finished the opening round tied for fourth position with Korea and Canada on three-under 210.
Defending champions Norway closed the opening day in seventh at two-under-par, a single stroke ahead of Chile.
China and Italy, who are both on two-over-par, finished tied for ninth, one shot ahead of New Zealand while Mexico and Scotland each carded a four-over 217 to tie for 12th. Zimbabwe will be hoping to bounce back strongly as they are within touching distance of Brazil, who occupy 14th position on five-over-par.
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Meanwhile, top amateur Stuart Krog is part of the three-member local team which leaves the country today to take part in the Windhoek Lager Africa Green Jacket Golf Championship set for June tomorrow to Saturday at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club in Namibia.
Krog, who is top of Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) Order of Merit Standings, will take part in the championship division while the duo of Pascal Mudzikisi and Clement Chimuti will compete in the B and C divisions respectively.
ZGA development officer Boniface Chigorimbo said the trio qualified for the tournament after finishing top of their respective divisions after the conclusion of five qualifying tournaments held since the start of the year.
The overall winner of the tournament has the honour of having a plaque on the floating trophy and the Windhoek Lager Green Jacket.
Toyota Junior Golf World Cup Team Standings
206 (-7) Japan; Sweden 208 (-5) United States 210 (-3) SA; Canada; Korea 211 (-2) Norway 212 (-1) Chile 215 (+2) China; Italy 216 (+3) New Zealand 217 (+4) Mexico; Scotland 218 (+5) Brazil 220 (+7) Zimbabwe
