PROMISING Zimbabwean professional golfer Shahid Mahmed is targeting a top-10 finish in the FBC Zimbabwe Open after a bittersweet day in the second round at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.
After opening his bid with a level-par round of 72 on Thursday, Mahmed had a dream start in the second round after sinking an impressive five birdies on the front nine as he surged towards the top of the leaderboard at five-under-par.
The Royal Harare Golf Club-based golfer however struggled on the back nine with four bogeys including successive dropped shots on holes number 15, 16 and 17.
In the end, Mahmed, who is also a qualified chemical engineer settled for a one-under 71 and despite back-nine, he was happy with his overall display yesterday and it has given him hope of securing a top 10 finish.
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“The experience in the Zimbabwe Open has been good. I was a bit nervous coming in, but I ground out yesterday and shot level par. I hit a really good front-nine today because the back-nine is quite difficult. In the end, I only finished on one under but with the weekend to come I’m aiming for a top to finish,” Mahmed told NewsDay Sport wekender.
Mahmed, who has been gaining some experience on the Sunshine Tour since turning professional a couple of years ago said the exposure, he has gained has been serving him well this week.
“The experience has been excellent, I think with the conditions that we have been playing in this week, without that experience, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”