Zimbabwean junior golfer Matthew Bramford capped off a solid season in South Africa by securing a top-10 finish at the Bobby Locke Open played out at Parkview Golf Club in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The former Peterhouse College student, who has been based at the Kenako Golf Academy in George, South Africa since 2020 rebounded from an opening 76 to 69 and 72 in the final two rounds of the 54-hole competition.
He finished in a tie for ninth position on one-over-par-217.
It was a solid finish to the season for Bramford, who has enjoyed a very solid season individually and as a member of the Zimbabwe junior golf team.
Bramford finished five shots behind South Africa’s Ian Verster, who secured the title after a playoff win over his compatriot Jaco van der Merwe.
Verster, who won the inaugural First Capital Zimbabwe Junior Golf Open at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate early this year, had carded scores of 70, 72 and 70 for a total of four-under-par212 which was matched by van der Merwe.
In the end, Verster held his nerve to win the playoff after defeating Janko van der Merwe on the first playoff hole.
Meanwhile, it was also a solid week for Bramford’s compatriot Michael Wallace, who was tied for third was in contention in the first two rounds after carding rounds of 70 and 73 before a 79 on the final day saw him finish in a tie for 21st on six-over-par 222.
A total of 150 junior golfers from around the world took part in the prestigious junior golf tournament which is named after the late legendary South African professional golfer Arthur D’Arcy “Bobby” Locke, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
He won The Open Championship four times and 15 PGA Tour events in total. In addition, he was a prolific tournament winner in South Africa, ultimately recording 41 significant victories in his home country, including the South African Open nine times.