THE Zimbabwe team struggled on the third day of the 2024 All Africa Golf Team Championship under extremely windy conditions as they slipped one place into third place going into the final day at Bulawayo Golf Club yesterday.
South Africa took advantage of the tough conditions to extend their lead to 27 strokes with one round to go and have all but secured the top sport.
It is a bruising battle for second place between Zambia and Zimbabwe after the former leapfrogged the hosts and now enjoy a one-shot lead.
Captain Michael Wallace was the hosts’ best performer after shooting a third round 1-over par 73 to sit in a two-way tie for fifth place on the individual standings.
Keegan Shutt managed 76, Vincent Chidambazina 78 and Kelvin Muchenje 79 as Zimbabwe finished on 11-over par on the day and 12-over par for the tournament.
Coach Simon Murungweni conceded that his team suffered under the boisterous weather conditions.
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“The round was tough from early morning because of the wind that we are not usually experiencing when we play here in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“But all the same, the boys put up a fight because the course was tough for everyone, which can be seen through the average score where 2-under was the best score.”
Added Murungweni: “Going into the final round, I think South Africa have managed to give themselves a nice cushion at the top. I think we go into the final day one shot behind Zambia in second place, so tomorrow every shot counts.”
Zambia, who went into the third round in a tie for third place, now sit on overall 11-over par going into the final day.
Once again, the day belonged to South African golfers, with Jordan Burnard shooting the best score of the day, 2-under par and sitting in second place on the individual standings, one shot behind compatriot Ivan Verster, who carded 1-under par in the third round for an 8-under par score for the tournament.
Egyptian Issa Emr is third on the individual leaderboard on overall 3-under par after shooting 73 yesterday, while Ugandan Joseph Akena is fourth.