US-BASED golfer Keegan Shutt cemented his place among Zimbabwe’s golfing greats yesterday after becoming the first player to win three Zimbabwe Amateur Championship titles, completing a record-breaking triumph at Chapman Golf Club in Harare.
The Odessa College golfer produced a composed final-round one-under-par 71 to finish the 72-hole championship on six-over-par 294, sealing a five-stroke victory and adding to the titles he won in 2022 and 2024.
Shutt’s winning campaign was built on resilience. After opening rounds of 78 and 77 left him chasing the leaders, he mounted a stunning comeback with a third-round 68 before closing out the tournament with another steady 71 to claim the most coveted amateur crown in Zimbabwean golf.
The victory capped a remarkable homecoming for Shutt, who is studying and playing collegiate golf in the United States. Last month, he also won the Chapman Grand Slam title, underlining his dominance on local courses before returning to America.
Shutt finished five strokes clear of Zimbabwean duo Vincent Chidambazina and Munesu Chimhini, who shared second place on 11-over-par.
Chidambazina carded rounds of 77, 79, 72 and 71, while Chimhini signed for 74, 79, 72 and 74.
Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Zidya, who had stunned the field by leading after the opening round with a brilliant two-under-par 70, eventually finished fourth on 14-over after rounds of 70, 78, 76 and 78.
Zambian Gilbert Chalwe was the highest-placed foreign player in fifth place on 16-over-par.
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Another Zambian, Stalian Daka, started the final day with a one-shot lead but endured a difficult final round, carding 88 to slip into a tie for ninth on 21-over-par.
In the women's championship, Mariam Masiya claimed her maiden Zimbabwe Amateur title after finishing on 18-over-par, placing seventh on the overall leaderboard. Listiah Bangura was a distant runner-up, 28 strokes behind the champion.
As champion, Shutt earned automatic qualification for the 2027 Zimbabwe Open, where he will again test himself against Sunshine Tour professionals.
Reflecting on his achievement, Shutt described the victory as one of the proudest moments of his career.
“It’s been a long time coming. It's something which I looked at yesterday evening, where I won it in 2022 and then 2024. So it seems like the even number years are the lucky ones for me. I'm very happy to have won the Zim Amateur for my third time now and hopefully I can do it next year.”
Shutt said overcoming a slow start made the victory even more special.
“I didn't quite manage to get over the line last year, so I was quite proud of myself for managing, especially from where I was after two rounds, to fight back and just give it my best. That managed to get me over the line this year.”
The 2027 Zimbabwe Open is already on his radar, with Shutt describing it as one of his favourite tournaments.
“To be able to play against those Sunshine Tour professionals is always great to test my game against theirs, see where I need to get better and what I can work on to get to that level. I'm very excited to be able to play the Zim Open in 2027.”
Zimbabwe Golf Association president Blessing Gandawa praised the quality of the tournament, the improved participation and the rising standard of local players.
He said the record entry of 14 foreign golfers from seven countries, including Ethiopia, demonstrated the growing regional and international appeal of the championship.
"Ethiopia, which was the furthest represented nation, also came to participate. That shows the tournament is growing from strength to strength, not only across the region but beyond,” Gandawa said.
The championship was sponsored by Zambezi G & C alongside other partners.
A total of 88 golfers from seven different countries took part in the tournament which continues to grow in stature.
