ONE of the country’s top golfers Stuart Krog says he is ready for the 2025 edition of the FBC Zim Open, which tees off this morning at Royal Harare Golf Club.
Krog finished as the highest ranked Zimbabwean on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit following the conclusion of the season ending DNi Tour Championship in March.
The 29-year-old Zimbabwean golfer finished in 59th place with 315.56 points after taking part in a total of 20 events on the Tour throughout the season.
The FBC Zim Open marks the beginning of the 2025/2026 Sunshine Tour season will a total of 156 golfers from about 20 countries competing for the top honours.
Krog is the highest ranked Zimbabwean in the tournament this year and carries the weight of the country’s hopes for a local winner.
“I can say I am ready for the tournament especially after a six weeks break which much needed. This is the first tournament of the season, I am excited about taking part and I am looking forward to giving it my best this week,” he told NewsDay Sport.
“Of course, it's the biggest tournament on the local scene with big crowds and big expectation, but I am taking it just like any other tournament so that I don’t put pressure on myself.
“However, it’s always special to play in this tournament on a familiar course and familiar crowd as well as family and friends following you.
- Strong local field for FBC Zim Open
- Strong local field for FBC Zim Open
- Sponsors raise stakes ahead of Zim Open
- Krog earns Sunshine Tour card ahead of FBC Zim Open
Keep Reading
“I have not set personal targets in this tournament, but I am just going to take stroke by stroke, hole by hole and round by round. Hopefully, I will do well.”
Last year was Krog’s second season on the Sunshine Tour and he is yet to claim a win.
His best performances were a tie for 7th at the Mopani Open in Zambia and 15th at VOG Shishen last season.
He takes courage from his performances last year.
“I think I had a good season on the Sunshine Tour last season and the idea is to keep getting better every year, keep working hard and keep doing my best,” Krog said.
“Since this is the first tournament of the season, it will be good to start well and continue from there for the rest of the season.”
A total of 34 golfers will play under the country’s flag, including nine amateurs and 25 professionals.
Robson Chinhoi is also one of the top local golfers expected to challenge for the top honours as well as Visitor Mapwanya, Promise Sombreiro, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Nyasha Muyambo David Amm and Pride Sembo among others.
There are some exciting young local amateur golfers who will also rub shoulders with some of the best golfers in the world, namely Keegan Shutt, Tanaka Chatora, Michael Wallace, Kelvin Muchenje, Chikayambidze Darlington, Tawana Mangoma and Braydon Amm.
Muchenje will be the first Zimbabwean to tee off on the first tee of the day at 6:20am along with South Africans Xander Bassoon and Paul Boschoff.
Chinhoi’s tee off time is 7 am together with Louis de Jager and Rupert Kiminski from South Africa, while Krog will tee off at 8am with South Africans Otto van Buynder and Gregory Mckay.
Defending champion Michael Hollick begins his title defence at 7:20am with Shutt and 2023 champion Neil Schietekat.
FBC Holdings have poured in US$200 000 into the prize fund.
