Top Zimbabwe amateur Keegan Shutt continued with his rich vein of form after winning the biggest event on the circuit, the Zimbabwe Amateur Championship, beating a strong field at Chapman Golf Club on Sunday.
Shutt shot rounds of 73 69 68 and 72 to finish on an overall 6 – under par 282 in the three-day tournament.
It was Shutt’s third win in July after bagging the Chapman Grand Slam in Harare and Champion of Champions in Bulawayo during the course of the month.
But the Zimbabwe Amateur is the biggest of them all on the local amateur circuit and the golfer could not hide his delight after the latest win.
"I am happy to win this one because I think it's the biggest in Zimbabwe on the Amateur circuit and I am excited to win it. In the form I have been in, I expected to be right at the top but I wasn’t too sure if I was going to win. I knew I had a good chance if I continued my form from the previous tournaments but I am just happy to win,” the 18-year-old golfer said.
The Royal Harare golfer finished nine shots ahead of defending champion Michael Wallace who shot 73 74 73 and 71 for a 3 – over par score with United States-based golfer Tariro November settling for third place on 4 – over par 292 after carding 72 76 75 and 69 in four rounds.
Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa who has just completed his studies in the US where he was also playing collegiate golf tied for fourth place along with Wingate Golf Club’s Shepherd Chiwaya, seven shot behind November.
Nyamukondiwa carded 73 70 80 and 76 while Chiwaya managed 73 71 80 and 75 in 72 holes.
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To add to a competitive field was South African golfer Matthew Mortimer who finished in sixth place after grossing 301.
Shutt felt it was the strongest field he has had to face on the amateur circuit in the country this year.
“I think this has been the strongest field this year, probably with Tafadzwa (Nyamukondiwa), Tariro (November), Michael (Wallace)and all coming back from college. It was a very good field and competitive as well, I enjoyed it. It’s my second time winning, I won this in 2022 so I am delighted,” he said.
Wallace, who has had a number of runners – up finishes since his return from the US expressed satisfaction at the progress he has been making as a golfer.
“It was all right this week. I didn’t really bring my A-game. I struggled a bit off the tee and on the par 3s but I still hit some pretty good shots. I could have worked a bit harder on my putting because I missed a few putts but still I had a good week. I came second and I am so happy about it.
“I don’t really come with thoughts of being the defending champion. I came with a new fresh mindset but like I said I didn’t really bring my A game. I played some really good shots but I could be better,” he said.
