IN-FORM professional golfer Robson Chinhoi heads to Bulawayo Country Club next week as the player-to-beat when the NetOne-sponsored President’s Cup tees off on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old arrives in Bulawayo riding a wave of momentum after a string of commanding victories on both the local and continental circuits, firmly establishing himself as the tournament favourite.
Chinhoi’s latest statement came last weekend at the Open de Golf de Moanda in Gabon. In a dominant performance at Manga Golf Club, he carded an impressive 19-under-par to win the title by a remarkable 14 strokes.
Compatriot Visitor Mapwanya finished a distant second at 5-under-par, while Cameroon’s Pristhy Nji Fon claimed third place at 1-under-par.
The Gabon triumph followed another convincing display in mid-March, when Chinhoi secured the NAC Pro-Am title at Royal Harare. He posted rounds of 65, 68 and 68 to finish 14-under-par over 54 holes, cruising to a seven-shot victory.
Once again, Mapwanya settled for second place, underlining Chinhoi’s dominance early in the 2026 season.
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Despite his daunting form, the US$50 000 tournament — boosted by NetOne’s landmark sponsorship — has attracted a competitive field eager to halt his charge.
Mapwanya remains the most likely challenger, having demonstrated his pedigree by winning the Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association Championship in Kwekwe earlier this month with a 10-under-par finish.
Rising stars are also expected to test the leaders. Rookie professional Darlington Chikanyambidze and Nyasha Muyambo, who finished second and third respectively in Kwekwe, are tipped for strong showings.
The field is further strengthened by seasoned campaigners Stephen Ferreira, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Promise Sombreiro, Clive Nguru and Michael Wallace.
Beyond the prize money, the President’s Cup offers vital preparation ahead of the flagship Zimbabwe Open scheduled for early next month.
The 54-hole stroke-play format provides competitive match practice for players targeting success on the international stage.
Zimbabwe Golf Association president Blessmore Gandawa said the growth of the tournament aligns with broader efforts to strengthen the sport through long-term development initiatives.
“Whenever the provinces host, we work on legacy programmes, which are junior grassroots development, identification of talent and what is the biggest challenge in our sport — the equipment,” Gandawa said.
“We are also courting partners in terms of corporates to come on board to make sure that we are able to put together the necessary equipment required to train these youngsters.”
The championship begins on Tuesday and concludes on Thursday, with a Pro-Am set for Friday to give sponsors and amateurs an opportunity to interact with the country’s leading professionals.
With a US$50 000 purse on offer and a field hungry for an upset, the spotlight will be on Chinhoi to see whether his dominant form — highlighted by a 14-stroke victory in Gabon — can carry over to the lush fairways of Bulawayo.