A TOTAL of four local golfers made it into the FBC Zim Open after making the cut in the tournament pre-qualifier, which took place at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
The youngest golfer to qualify for the country's flagship golf event is Braydom Amm, who sailed through yesterday.
Amm shot a 1 - under par 71 to finish in a three-way tie for second place in the competition along with South Africans David Meyers and Tyrone Davidowitz, a stroke behind leader Liam Greham, also from South Africa.
Other Zimbabweans who made it are Simon Murungweni, Terrance Keith and Nerudo Mregi.
Murungweni carded level par 72, the same as Keith and South African Eric Wowor, finishing in a tie for fifth.
The fairytale story of the pre-qualifier belonged to South Africa-based Zimbabwean amateur Mregi, who was playing in his third competitive round of golf and qualified for the Zim Open.
Mregi, born and bred in Gweru, shot a round of 73 which was enough for him to qualify.
He expressed pride after qualifying for the Zim Open.
- Strong local field for FBC Zim Open
- Strong local field for FBC Zim Open
- Sponsors raise stakes ahead of Zim Open
- Zim Open record shattered
Keep Reading
"I feel very proud. Most of us go away to foreign countries, and we always remember the flag. And coming back and having the flag next to my name in this tournament is special. I would never have thought that I would be here, but I am grateful to be here and I will give it my best," he said.
Other golfers who made it through the qualifier are Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix and Zimbabwe-based Chinese amateur Shijie Li, who had to win his ticket via a nerve-wrecking play-off yesterday.
Li overcame Ryan Tipping from South Africa in the playoff after both players shot 73 in the main round.
"I feel amazing to have qualified. I count Zimbabwe as my home. So to be able to play the National Open, it's absolutely a pleasure. I know, it's definitely the most pressure I've ever felt, but I just had to stay patient and trust myself, play my own game, don't worry what they're doing, because anything can happen in golf. So yeah, I just stayed composed and tried to do the best I can, and to get it done feels amazing," he said.
Following the increase of the total number of golfers taking part in the tournament from 144 to 156, there will be 34 golfers flying the country's flag, including seven amateurs.
The pre-qualifier signalled the beginning of the 2025 FBC Zim Open. The Royal Harare Golf Club management hands over its club to the Sunshine Tour for the Zim Open as standard practice.
There will also be ProAm competitions tomorrow and Wednesday before the main championship tees off on Thursday.
