South Africa-based Zimbabwean professional golfer Ryan Cairns notched up his maiden professional title after clinching the Econet Joshua Nkomo Golf Classic at Royal Harare Golf Club on Saturday.
27-year-old Cairns, who had his father and coach Terry on his bag, carded a final round two over par 74, for a seven-under-par 209 for the winners’ prize of $4 000 and a floating trophy.
Cape Town-based Cairns led the 54-hole tournament from start to finish after going into the final round with an eight-shot lead after earlier rounds of 66 and 69.
Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club’s Dean Schoultz fired a superb final round three under par 69 to finish three shots adrift after Cairns on four-under-par 212. Zambian professional golfer Patrick Mwendapole, who has been a regular participant on the Golden Pilsner Zambezi Tour, settled for third place after finishing on two-under-par 214.
Pre-tournament favourite Ignatius Mketekete, who had gone into the tournament in top form after consecutive wins in FSG Lowveld Pro-am and the NetOne Golf Series, recovered after a difficult start to eventually finish fourth on level par.
The win ensured he maintained his position on the Golden Pilsner Zambezi Tour money list with total prize money amounting to $17 869,83 from seven tournaments.
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The Econet Joshua Nkomo Golf Classic had a purse of $25 000 and fell under the Golden Pilsener Zambezi Tour.