GOLFER Ryan Cairns lived up to his billing as the country’s leading professional on the Sunshine Tour after rallying from behind to win the Pre-Open Classic at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
DANIEL NHAKANISO
Four shots behind the overnight leader, heading into the final round, Cairns needed a solid round to stand a chance and produced just that as he carded a three-under-par 69 to finish on one-under-par 144 to claim a one shot victory.
It was Cairns second victory at Royal Harare after his breakthrough professional victory at the Econet Joshua Nkomo Memorial Classic also held at Royal Harare in 2011.
“I think having won at the same course before helped me because I knew if I finished well I could be in with a good chance even if I had shot 74 on Thursday. At one time I was three-over with five holes to go but I just remained focused on my game and a few birdies on the final stretch ensured I finished strongly,” said Cairns, who walked away with $2 000after his win yesterday.
The Borrowdale Brooke professional said the win was a huge boost for him ahead of next month’s Golden Pilsner Zimbabwe Open at the same venue.
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“Winning the Zimbabwe Open is always my main goal every year and to get a chance to play competitively at Royal and manage to win is a massive boost. I’ll just continue working hard to prepare myself in the best way I can,” said Cairns.
Seasoned campaigner Shane Pringle finished in second place on level-par 144 to earn $1 300.
The quartet of Robson Saurombe, Mohammad Mandhu, Julius Kamalizeni, and Irvin Mazibuko were in a four-way tie for third position on two-over-par-146 and earned $850 each.
Next week the Zambezi Tour moves to Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club for the Tour’s Champions Cup which tees off on Thursday.