FOURTEEN-TIME Sunshine Tour winner, South African Hennie Otto shot a first round 6 under par 66 to take a one stroke lead after the first round of the FBC Zim Open at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
Otto’s round comprised an eagle on Hole 3, seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey, which took him to the top of the leaderboard.
There was a four-tie for second place after round one as South African Tyronne Ryan, Doug McGuigan from Scotland, Mexican Luis Carrera and Australian Austin Bautista finished on 5 under-par 67.
Three South Africans Christaan Basson, Purchase Warwick and MJ Viljoen carded a first round 68 to tie for sixth place on the leaderboard.
The FBC Zimbabwe Open is the first tournament of the 2025/26 Sunshine Tour season and features a strong field of 156 golfers, including 11 amateurs.
Veteran Zimbabwe professional golfer Ryan Cairns was the highest placed local after the first days after shooting 2-under par 68 to finish in a 12-way tie for 14th place
Cairns managed five birdies, one bogey and a double bogey on Hole 16.
Nyasha Muyambo was also tied for 14th after shooting seven birdies, a bogey and two bogeys for his day’s work.
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Visitor Mapwanya and Robson Chinhoi were the only other golfers to shoot sub-par scores in the first round on 1-under par and tied for 29th.
Tanaka Chatora, Keegan Shutt and Michael Wallace shot 3-over to lead the race for best amateur.
They were also joined by South African amateur golfer Devon Valentine on 3-over.
Defending champion Michael Hollick had a torrid time on the course on the first day after shooting 6-over after the first round, a massive 12 strokes behind the leader.
Hollick is in danger of missing the cut today if he does not produce a brilliant performance in round two of the competition.
FBC Holdings have unveiled a US$200 000 prize fund for the 2025 edition of the tournament.
