De Jongé 26th at Phoenix Open

Sport
GOLFER Brendon de Jongé recorded his best finish on the US PGA Tour this year after finishing in a tie for position 26 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open played out at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in Phoenix, Arizona, at the weekend.

GOLFER Brendon de Jongé recorded his best finish on the US PGA Tour this year after finishing in a tie for position 26 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open played out at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course in Phoenix, Arizona, at the weekend.

DANIEL NHAKANISO SPORTS REPORTER

Although de Jongé could have done much better after getting off to a brilliant start, he still managed put up solid rounds of 67, 71, 72 and 68 for a six under par 278 total, which earned him cool $50 242.50.

Brendon-De-Jonge-copy
Brendon De Jonge

The 34-year-old Zimbabwean whose previous best finish this year was a tie for position 41 at the Humana Challenge looked set to challenge for the coveted title after opening with solid round of four under par 67 last Thursday.

He, however, struggled for consistency on Friday and Saturday before a strong finish on Sunday saw him creeping back into the top 30 for his best finish this year.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA)’s competitive season continues this weekend with the staging of the Julius Robinson Trophy at Wingate Park Golf Club in Harare.

The annual tournament which is the second amateur event this year after the season-opening Dugmore Trophy, will be played over the traditional 36-holes on Saturday and Sunday.

ZGA’s development officer Boniface Chigorimbo said the tournament was open to individuals and teams on the order of merit standings.

“The Julius Robinson is on from Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of February at Wingate Golf Club. This is for teams and individual players on the order of merit and those serious on going on the order of merit. Please register through your clubs so we have a great tournament,” Chigorimbo said.

Gary Thompson, who has since joined the paid ranks, won last year’s edition of the Julius Robinson trophy after a dramatic play-off victory over Shepherd Chiwaya at Wingate Park Golf Club in Harare.

In the team competition, Chapman Golf Club will be defending their title after the team made up of Clive Nguru, Thembalami Vundla, Stuart Krog and Steven Simukayi won last year’s team trophy.