TOP local junior golfer Keegan Shutt shot a brilliant 2-under par 70 score to tie for third place on the first day of the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open tournament at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate yesterday.
Shutt is just one stroke behind joint leaders Craig Cilliers and Tristan Boise from South Africa.
Another South African golfer Alex Frankel shot a round of 70 to close the day on third place along with Shutt.
Another local golfer Peter Sanders, who is just 15 years old and plays at Borrowdale Brooke, tied for fifth place after carding 71 as did Kairav Madurey from South Africa.
Shutt, who turns 19 on May 10, is playing in his final event as a junior and will be looking to sign off with a win.
“It was not as well as I wanted it to be, but I managed to put the score together. I was not swinging it the best, especially the back nine. I don’t think I hit the fairway on the back nine, so I am very happy that I managed to keep it together and leave myself with a chance going into tomorrow (today),” Shutt
said.
“I won’t lie, I always prefer coming from behind. I don’t really like leading from the first day or the second day. It’s always better for me when I come from behind, so I am happy with the position I’m in,” he added.
- Chegutu residents seek ED intervention
- Local players impress at First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open
- Local players impress at First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open
- News in depth: Corruption, opulence and a showy attitude in a sea of poverty
Keep Reading
For Shutt, the 2025 edition of the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open is special in that it is the last event as a junior player
“I think before Simon (Herring) passed away, he was asking me when my birthday was, just so that we could do this before I turn 19,” he said.
“I am very happy this is my last junior tournament, being the biggest junior tournament in Zimbabwe.
“I’m very glad it’s before I turn 19. Since it’s my last one, I’d like to give it a run and hopefully win the tournament.”
Herring is the former Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club manager who was integral in the organisation of the tournament since its inception in 2022 and recently passed away.
The tournament paid respect to Herring, with a moment of silence observed during the opening ceremony on Thursday.
South African golfers have dominated the event, with Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard winning the event in 2023 and 2024 in the boys and first category, respectively.
First Capital Bank Zimbabwe have been sponsoring the event since it started in 2022.
