REIGNING champion Jake Roos says he won’t be expecting too much when he attempts to become the first golfer to defend the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open title since its return on the Sunshine Tour schedule in 2010.
DANIEL NHAKANISO
Roos tees off in the first round at the picturesque Royal Harare Golf Club this morning alongside compatriots James Kingston and the in-form Ulrich van den Berg.
Speaking just before starting his practice round in the traditional Pro-Am yesterday afternoon, Roos said he was not setting high targets for himself.
“I have not set a lot of expectations for myself this week. I’ve just come to enjoy the course. It’s looking great and the greens are as good as ever,” Roos said.
Roos will go into this year’s tournament hoping to achieve what no other golfer has managed to do since the tournament returned on the Sunshine Tour calendar in 2010
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Not since Zimbabwean golf legend Nick Price won back-to-back Zimbabwe Open titles in 1997 and 1998 at Royal Harare Golf Club and Chapman Golf Club respectively has any other player managed to defend the national open.
However, Roos will feel he has a strong chance of managing to do what others have failed as he starts his title defence on the back of some very strong performances on the Challenge and Sunshine Tours.
Roos recently captured his second title in as many years after emerging victorious at the Barclays Kenya Open on March 9.
“It’s definitely a boost for me to come here with my confidence high after winning the Kenya Open. It’s always nice to get a win as it gives you some confidence and that will definitely help me if I manage to get into contention come Sunday,” he said.
South African golfers might have dominated each of the four previous editions of the Zimbabwe Open, but every year brings a new sense of optimism that it might the year a local comes out on top.
The in-form player among the local contingent is no doubt Ignatius Mketekete after his back-to-back wins on the Zambezi Tour last month.
Mketekete lifted the Tour Players Championship at Wingate before capturing the Pre-Open Classic at Royal Harare a week later.
Despite recently struggling with lower back pains, the Zvishavane-born golfer will feel he has a chance to do well this year especially after missing the cut in the last two editions of the tournament.
He will start his campaign this year alongside another local contender Micky Hough and the seasoned South African Darryn Lloyd.
Tongo Charamba is always a favourite with the local fans every time he takes part in the Zimbabwe Open and he will be hoping to recapture the form that saw him win the 2006 SAA Pro-Am Invitational and the 2008 Namibia PGA Championship at the peak of his career.
Top amateur Scott Vincent, who has been in brilliant form for Virginia Tech University in the US, will also be one of the local players to watch out for this week while Ryan Cairns will also carry the nation’s hopes.