HARARE, Jul. 31 (Newsday Live) - Fourteen-year-old Nathaniel Zidya made a dream start to the 2026 Zim Amateur Championship after carding a superb two-under-par 70 to take a one-shot lead following the opening round at Chapman Golf Club.
Playing on his home course, the talented youngster produced a composed performance to finish at the top of the leaderboard after an impressive round that included three birdies and just one bogey, which came at the sixth hole.
Zidya's maturity and course knowledge were on full display as he kept his nerve throughout the opening 18 holes to edge ahead of a strong international field.
Just one stroke behind the leader are Zambia's Stalian Daka and Mutare-based golfer Braydon Amm, who both returned one-under-par 71s to share second place.
Daka, one of Zambia's brightest amateur prospects, mixed four birdies with three bogeys in an encouraging opening round.
The 25-year-old arrived in Harare carrying plenty of confidence, having become the only amateur golfer to qualify for the Sunshine Tour-sanctioned Zambia Mopani Open earlier this year, underlining his pedigree and credentials to challenge for the title.
Amm also enjoyed a solid start, matching Daka's one-under-par score to remain firmly in contention heading into the second round.
Defending champion Nathan van Rooyen finds himself just three shots off the pace after posting a one-over-par 73.
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The teenage star, who became the youngest winner of the championship last year, is tied for fourth alongside South Africa's Unathi Stanley Donga and compatriot Tariro November.
With two rounds still to play, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf.
This year's Zim Amateur Championship has attracted leading amateur golfers from eight countries, highlighting the tournament's growing stature as one of the region's premier amateur golfing events.
The three-day championship concludes on Sunday, with Zidya hoping to maintain his impressive form and become the latest young star to lift Zimbabwe's most prestigious amateur golf title.
