Teenage golf sensation Keegan Shutt feels he had a genuine opportunity to become the second Zimbabwean to win the Junior Orange Bowl after finishing in a tie for fourth in one of the elite golf tournaments in the world early this month.
Shutt was just one shot behind the leader after two rounds after shooting rounds of 67 and 70 before struggling in the third round with a 6 – over 77 , eventually bouncing back with a solid 3 – under par 68 on the final day.
The 18 – year – old talented golfer ended up in three way tie for fourth place on overall 2 – under par 282, five strokes behind winner Lorenzo Rodriguez who shot 7 – under par 277 in four rounds.
The young Zimbabwean, who was making a second appearance at Orange Bowl, believes he had a genuine chance to win the tournament.
“I definitely felt I had a chance to win it because I was in it after two rounds. I was only one shot back going into the third round and I didn’t have my best in the third round and shot 6 – over which put me way back but I manage to shoot a 3 – under on the final day which brought me to fourth place. I could have won but I was happy to finish in top five,” he told Zim Sport Live.
“It was not pressure but I think it was a mindset thing because I had not been in that position playing in America or Europe and in those big tournaments so it was more like a new situation for me. I am only used to winning Zimbabwe and in South Africa having put myself in a position to win in America was something new I had never experienced before. So I guess it was a little bit of nerves,” Shutt reflected.
Swiss golfer Joshua Hess finished second one shot adrift after managing an overall score of 6 – under par 278 while Tomas Restrepo from Colombia was third on 5 – under par 279.
Shutt shared fourth place with Englishman Harry Cox and American Joey Laciofano.
The only Zimbabwean to win the Junior Orange Bowl is Lewis Chitengwa who beat Tiger Woods to the title in 1992.
In 2015 Kieran Vincent finished in sixth place.
Shutt is scheduled to begin collegiate golf in August this year at Odessa College in Texas.
But before that he has a British Open dream which he can achieve by winning the second edition of the Africa Amateur Championship scheduled to take place at Leopard Creek, South Africa from February 5 – 8 2025.
“I am going to Odessa in August so I have up to end of July to get ready and prepare for college but before that in Amateur Championship I want to put myself in like a position to win to be able to hopefully play in the British Open. That is my biggest goal of the year to hopefully try and win that but if not I will be very happy again with top 5 in South Africa,” he said.
The Africa Amateur Championship winner will receive an exemption into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
Shutt who is sponsored by Nikhil Bhulabhai expressed the desire to have a brand partner in the mold of Srixon and Titleist.