SOUTH African golfer Andries van der Vyver shot a junior course record 9-under par 63 final round to beat home favourite Keegan Shutt to the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open boys title by one stroke with a 11-under par score at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate
yesterday.
van der Vyers started the day three strokes behind joint leaders Shutt and Craig Cilliers in sixth place after carding 74 and 68 in the first two days, respectively.
Zimbabwean golfer Shutt, who turns 19 next month, was playing in the final tournament as a junior and was hoping to exit the stage with a win in the country's biggest junior event and came agonisingly close to achieving, that target.
Shutt played some brilliant golf the whole weekend after rounds of 70, 69 and 67 to finish on 10 - under par 206, three shots ahead of Cilliers on overall 7-under par after a final round 70.
The rest of the golfers in the top 10 were from South Africa.
van der Vyers was delighted with the win.
"It's emotional for me. Final round I got here, and I knew I had to go low to beat Keegan. In the last hole, I shot a birdie and he had to make birdie for a playoff, and unfortunately he shot par. So I am very happy and proud of this achievement," he said.
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Lourenda Steyn emerged victorious in the girls competition after finishing on 4-under par 212, to win by eight strokes after rounds of 71, 69 and 72.
It was a dominant performance by the girls from South Africa as they occupied the top six places with Zoey Rhoda finishing second on 4 - over and Phenyo Sebata, seven shots further back.
Orateng Mapauke, Megan Marais and Zayaan Hendricks finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.
"I am super happy and it's such a relief that I won this tournament. My target was to play under par, and I successfully did that. I'm proud of myself and how I managed myself on the course," Steyn said.
A total of 61 golfers from eight different countries took part in the event, which is sponsored by one of the country's top banking institutions, First Capital Bank.
First Capital Bank chief executive officer Tapera Mushoriwa emphasised the bank's commitment to investing in young golfers.
"As First Capital Bank, we are proud to be more than a sponsor. We are pioneers in youth development. Today, we stand as the first to back the future. Our investment this year reflects more than just financial support. It reflects belief, belief in Africa's next leaders, thinkers and champions," he said.
Top professional golfer Ben Follett-Smith was the guest of honour at the event.
