Rising Zimbabwean professional golfer Robson Chinhoi warmed up for this week’s FBC Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship in style after carding a sensational round of 12-under-par 60 on his way to an impressive second-place finish at the Ivory Coast Open on Saturday.
The Royal Harare Golf Club-based professional tamed the President Golf Club in Yamoussoukro by firing 10 birdies and an eagle on his way to setting a new course record.
Chinhoi’s remarkable finish was however not enough for him to claim the coted title after settling for second position, a shot behind Ghanaian golfer Vincent Torgah.
Grace upon Grace pic.twitter.com/bXT9dfKvgB
— Robson Chinhoi (@RobsonChinhoi) May 14, 2022
Torgah, who won the last edition of the tournament in 2017 successfully defended his title after carding 65, 69, 66 and 69 for a total of 19-under-par 269.
Chinhoi, a serial winner on the Safari Tour, was in solo second on 18-under-par 270 following scores of 71, 67, 72 and 60 while Ivorian Kacou Tanguy Arnaud was a further six shots back in third position.
Fellow Zimbabwean Visitor Mapwanya also fared well in the tournament after finishing in sixth position following rounds of 64, 74, 71 and 73.
The Ivory Coast Open or Open de Côte d’Ivoire was founded in 1980, and was an event on the Safari Circuit the following year.
It was an event on the European-based Challenge Tour schedule in 1990 and 1991, and from 1996 to 1999. It has been held at President Golf Club, Yamoussoukro and Ivoire Golf Club, Abidjan.
The title has been won by some of the world’s top golfers, including Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter, and Gary Player. This year’s edition of the competition featured a strong field of 81 players from around the world.
The Zimbabwean duo of Chinhoi and Mapwanya were using the tournament to prepare for this week’s FBC Zimbabwe Open Golf Championship.
The R2 million FBC Zimbabwe Open Championship which is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour tees off at Royal Harare and Chapman Golf Clubs on Thursday.
South African golfers have dominated the Zimbabwe Open since its return to the Sunshine Tour schedule in 2010, maintaining a perfect record before the competition was put on ice during the last three years.
FINAL LEADERBOARD (TOP-19)
