VISITOR Mapwanya needed a playoff to shrug off a challenge from Brian Gondo to win the eighth edition of the National Aids Council (NAC) HIV and Cancer Drive at Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.

The two golfers had finished tied on 8-under par after three rounds.

Mapwanya, went into the final round of the three day annual tournament, in third place on 6-under after carding 68 and 70 earlier in the competition, three strokes behind leaders Robson Chinhoi and Gondo.

And the Renco Mine-bred golfer shot 70 in the final round to force a playoff against Gondo, who struggled in the final round for a 73.

Gondo had played some brilliant golf with rounds of 68 and 67 in the first two days.

Defending champion Chinhoi saw the championship slip through his fingers with a final round 75 after managing 69 and 66 in the first two days and had to settle for third place.

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Stuart Krog carded 69, 70 and 72 to finish on  5-under and tie for fourth place along with Trainos Muradzikwa, who shot rounds of 67, 72 and 72.

Tonderai Masunga saved his best golf for the last round with a 68, the best score for the day, to add to two par scores, which saw him rise to sixth place tied with Tafara Mpofu, who managed 72,  71  and 69 in the ProAM competition.

Upcoming professional golfer David Amm could not replicate the form, which saw him win the Tongaat Hulett Lowveld ProAm earlier in the month after he tied for 13th place on level par after shooting 70, 72 and 74.

Lady golfer Claire Minter managed to defend her women's title after carding 77, 79 and 71, while Roy Da Costa won the seniors category after shooting 73, 72 and 77.

The NAC HIV and Cancer Prevention Drive ProAM aims to support the HIV and cancer response in Zimbabwe, as well as raise awareness on the respective health challenges among golfers and the general public.

A total of 72 professionals, three of them women and eight from outside the country, took part in one of the country’s top annual golf events.

The prize giving event is set for today.

Last year, the event set out to raise a minimum of US$60 000 to procure cancer medicines and equipment for organisations that are fighting cancer in different capacities.

Organisations, such as, the Island Hospice & Healthcare, KIDZCAN, Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Cancer Registry  benefited from the event.