ZIMBABWE’S golfing siblings Scott and Kieran Vincent etched their name in the history books by becoming the first set of brothers to claim victories on the International Series following the latter’s stunning victory in Vietnam last Sunday.
The International Series is a ground-breaking series of events launched last year on the Asian Tour with prize purses of US $1.5 million and above, played across several countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.
The older of the Vincent brothers, Scott, who is affectionately known as Mhondoro in local golf circles due to his fearlessness on the golf course, won the inaugural International Series event in England last year, becoming the first Zimbabwean to win on the Asian Tour.
After an impressive run of good form throughout the season, the gifted 30 year-old golfer went on to win the inaugural International Series Order of Merit, gaining a place in the 2023 LIV Golf League.
Almost 10 months after his brother claimed what would go on to become a life changing event at Staley Hall in Northumberland, England, his young brother Kieran joined him by also becoming a winner on the Asian Tour following his one-shot victory at the US$2 million International Series Vietnam last weekend.
The 25-year-old golfer turned professional barely 10 months ago after a successful amateur career initially in Zimbabwe before he moved to the US on a golf scholarship at Liberty.
After turning professional last year Kieran initially gained some experience on the Canadian PGA Tour.
He has continued to improve his game since joining his brother on the Asian Tour.
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After initially playing in a few Asian Tour events on special invitations late last year, Vincent did well enough to finish in the top 60 on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit Standings to earn his full playing privileges.
And barely a few months into the 2023 season Kieran is already a winner on the Asian Tour, with his victory in Vietnam last Sunday earning him the US$360 000 winner’s cheque.
After the win, Vincent moved into second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) and third on the International Series OOM, giving him a chance to emulate his brother Scott, who is now playing on the LIV Golf League for the Iron Heads GC team.
Kieran also jumped 493 places on the Official World Golf Rankings from 923 to number 430 following the success as he moved closer to Scott, who is ranked 125th.
The rising star attributed this to the support he has received behind the scenes from his team and his family.
“It is surreal right now. I think there are so many people I have to thank at this stage that have put so much time and effort into me that they deserve it more than myself,” Kieran said soon after claiming his first win as a pro.
“I feel like I am a lead singer in a band of people that have done so much for me. I am very appreciative. I don’t think it is going to sink in for a while,” he added.
While Kieran’s instant success on the international stage might have come as a surprise to many, it certainly didn’t surprise his brother Scott, who tipped him to have a successful career soon after he made the decision to turn professional last year.
“He is a great player. I have no doubt he will do something really special with his golf, and whether it is here or whether it is down the road it is going to be really good to see him playing well because he is very capable and we will just see how he does coming in,” said Scott during the International Series Singapore in August last year.
Kieran turned professional after leaving his Virginia-based university following six memorable years in which he helped the institute’s golf team the Flames to three consecutive appearances at the NCAA Men’s Golf National Championship.
In his final season with the Flames, Vincent achieved the best stroke average a 71.36 while he also paced the team with five top-10 finishes, including a trio of top-five performances.
It was almost obvious that he would succeed as a professional.
Kieran graduated from Liberty University in May 2020 with a degree in exercise science and completed his Master’s Degree in human performance with a focus on nutrition.
Prior to moving to the US, Kieran, who like his brother was also coached by the late veteran teaching professional Roger Baylis, represented Zimbabwe in countless regional and international tournaments as a junior and amateur.
Vincent also showed a lot of promise after he finished sixth on debut at the 51st Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship in the United States in January 2015 and dropped just one place to close in seventh place the following year..
He guided Zimbabwe to 12th place at the Japan Toyota Junior World Cup as well as finishing 13th out a field comprising 60 of the world’s best junior golfers in June 2015.
Back then his dream was to win one of golf’s major golf championships one day.
“It's always been my ultimate dream donning the green jacket, but at this stage I am trying to take one step at a time and complete my termly goals which I set myself and not get too far ahead of myself. And yes I do believe you have a chance at anything if you put your mind to it,” Vincent told this publication back in 2016.
Clearly, he is getting closer to his dream but in the meantime he is still processing his professional win.
“Dust settling and it’s starting to sink in. I am going to enjoy this for a while. I’m indebted to many; thankful for all and blessed because of what He (God) did,” he took to social media on Thursday.
