By Zim Sport Live Writer
Stuart Krog continued his rich vein of form with an impressive opening round at the Lowveld ProAm, finishing just one shot off the lead at Hippo Valley Estates Golf Club on Friday.
The inform Zimbabwean golfer carded a four-under-par 68 to sit in a share of third place alongside fellow Zimbabwean Nyasha Muyambo and Zambia’s Sydney Wemba, keeping himself firmly in contention heading into the weekend.
Leading the tournament are Zimbabwe’s Visitor Mapwanya and Portugal’s Stephen Ferreira, who both opened with superb five-under-par 67s.
Mapwanya produced a flawless bogey-free round featuring five birdies, while Ferreira recovered from a lone bogey on the sixth hole by rolling in six birdies to grab a share of the lead.
The Lowveld ProAm, one of Zimbabwe’s richest golf tournaments, is being contested across Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle Golf Clubs as part of Hippo Valley Estates’ 70th anniversary celebrations.
Krog, who arrived home buoyed by his breakthrough Sunshine Tour victory in Zambia, was pleased to keep the momentum going despite battling fatigue after two demanding weeks on the road.
“I hit the ball really well today. The greens aren’t quite what I’m accustomed to, so I just knew if the ball striking was there, we could stay patient. We did that all day. We didn’t make very many putts, but I think we hit 16 greens out there. I played well.
“It’s always nice to be home. I’m a little tired from the last two weeks in Zambia, with everything that’s happened there. A bit of lack of sleep, a bit of sickness, but nothing beats competitive golf, so I may as well come out and play some golf.
“I just came out today trying to keep the momentum going from what I’ve built over the last couple of weeks, and we seem to have done that so far. I also want to wish Hippo Valley Estates a happy 70th anniversary and thank them for hosting us.”
Young Zimbabwean Darlington Chikanyambidze also enjoyed an encouraging start, carding a three-under-par 69 to occupy sixth place.
Former Zanaco Masters champion Robson Chinhoi, Ignatius Mketekete and Simon Katembenuka were among a group tied for seventh after opening with two-under-par 70s.
On the amateur side, Vincent Chidambazina, winner of three amateur titles this season, led the amateur standings after posting a one-over-par 73 to sit tied for 21st overall.
Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Zidya, the youngest player in the field, carded a six-over-par 78, while the tournament’s only female competitor, Claire Minter, opened with an eight-over-par 80.
With just one shot separating Krog from the lead, the in-form Zimbabwean will fancy his chances of adding another title to his growing resume over the final 36 holes.