De Jongé makes cut in Masters debut

Sport
Brendon de Jongé and South African Louis Oosthuizen were the only African golfers to make the cut at the US Masters at Augusta National in the US

ZIMBABWE’S leading professional golfer Brendon de Jongé and South African Louis Oosthuizen were the only African golfers to make the cut at the US Masters at Augusta National in the US at the weekend.

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De Jongé, who is playing in his first Masters event, was tied for position 38 yesterday after shooting a 76 to lie six over for the tournament and six 11 shots behind the leaders.

The 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson sat on top of the leaderboard ahead of the final round along with American rookie Jordan Spieth on five under par.

Oosthuizen was on the other hand the only South African left in the competition after Tim Clark, Trevor Immelman, Branden Grace, Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel all failed to make the cut.

De Jongé, who became the first Zimbabwean golfer to play at The Masters in nine years made a decent start on the opening day last Thursday, recovering from a slow start to shoot two over-par 72.

A solid round of even-par 72 during the second round played in testing conditions ensured the Harare-born golfer made the cut while other high profile players such as three-time Masters champion Phil Mickleson fell by the wayside.

Despite making just one birdie, three bogeys and a double bogey in his 76 on Saturday, de Jongé is assured a share of the handsome $8 million prize fund after managing to make the cut.