ZIMBABWE golf sensation Scott Vincent moved one step closer towards reaching his goal of playing on the Asian Tour this year when he claimed the First Stage Qualifying School with a wire-to-wire victory in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
The Chapman Golf Club golfer recorded rounds of 65, 66, 66 and 66 at the Windsor Park Golf Club to triumph by a massive nine shots on 25-under-par 263.
Home favourite Annop Tangkamolprasert of Thailand was a distant second on 16-under-par 272, while Australia’s Mitchell Brown and Indian amateur Aman Raj were tied for third position on 15-under-par 273.
The star of the show during the first stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School, however, was Vincent after a superb perfomance in his first tournament in Asia since turning professional last June.
The 23-year-old rising star, who is nicknamed “Mhondoro” because of his exploits on the golf course, was in irresistible form throughout the week and should be one of the favourites to challenge for honors in next week’s final stage.
There was also joy for another promising Zimbabwean golfer Greg Bentley, who claimed one of the four remaining slots to next week’s final stage at the Lakeview Golf Club C & D course.
- 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
Bentley, who represents The Brooke Golf Club (formerly known as Borrowdale Brooke Golf and Country Club) carded rounds of 70, 69, 71 and 73 to finish in a tie for position 21 on one-under-par 283.
Although Bentley will be a little disappointed after almost letting it slip in the final round, he will have the final stage of Qualifying School to look forward to next week as he attempts to seal a place alongside the biggest names on the Asian Tour.
A total of 92 players qualified for the all-important Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand after the completion of the First Stage on Saturday.
The final stage gets underway on Wednesday at the Springfield Royal Country Clun and Imperial Lakeview Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand with the top-40 and ties after four rounds earning their Tour cards for the 2016 Asian Tour season.
