ITALIAN golfer Francesco Laporta equalled Nick Price’s Royal Harare Golf Club course record — nine-under par 63 — to settle for a tie of the lead with overnight leader Darren Fichardt and set up a tense finish in the final round of the R1,65million Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open today.
REPORT BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Laporta overcame the windy conditions to tame the challenging championship course, sinking eight birdies and an eagle against a single bogey and in the process equalling Price’s course record set in November 1998.
He finished with a total of 13-under par 203 and will head into the final round today tied for the lead alongside Fichardt who had begun the day with a one shot advantage.
Fichardt also had to produce a moment of brilliance on the final hole, making a massive driver straight down the fairway before laying up on the lush green and eventually managing a long putt for birdie to tie for the lead.
Another South African, Lindani Ndwandwe is three shots behind the leaders after carding four-under 68 for a total of 10-under par 206 while his compatriot Jake Roos is one shot further back on nine-under 207.
Zimbabwe’s leading professional golfer on the Sunshine Tour, Ryan Cairns is the highest placed local heading into the final round after signing for three-under-69 for a total of six-under 210 and in a two-way tie for 11th position with South African Doug McGuigan.
The 2011 Zimbabwe Open champion Theunis Spangernberg struggled in the boisterous windy conditions only managing a one-over-par 74 for a five-under 211 total.
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Defending champion Chris Swa-nepoel fell out of contention after carding a three-over-par 75 for a two-over total.
Sixteen-year-old US-based Zimbabwean amateur golfer Sean Cro-cker is the second highest placed local golfer on one-under 215 and tied for 30th while local professional Tich Musemburi is tied for 36th on level par 216.
