One of the country's rising golfers Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa ahead of first appearance at the FBC Zim Open since turning professional last year.
Nyamukondiwa is one of more than 23 local professionals, who are expected to carry the country's hopes at the flagship event, which kicks off today and concludes on Sunday at Royal Harare Golf Club.
FBC Holdings Group have poured US$200 000 into the prize fund, thus increasing the package from 2,5 million rand last year to 3 million rand.
The FBC Zim Open has not been won by a Zimbabwean golfer since Mark McNulty in 2000 and South Africa has made a clean sweep of the 14 editions that have been played since then.
Nyamukondiwa, along with other top local golfers such as Robson Chinhoi, Stuart Krog, Promise Sombreiro and Pride Sembo, among other, is expected to challenge for the top honours.
While he is excited to be taking part in the tournament, Nyamukondiwa is targeting nothing short of victory.
"I'm definitely excited to take part in the Zim Open. It's my first Zim Open as a pro and I am excited. It's one of the events I'm still looking forward to because when I grew up, I remember going to Royal Harare to watch Zim Open. And now that I'm actually playing as a pro, it's just incredible. It's lovely," the 25 year old told this publication in an exclusive interview.
" I'm prepared for it. I mean, it's my career. It's what I love to do, so it's always nice to just work, put in the grind. In golf, it's just more mental because everyone can hit the ball. So you need to be mentally. You can never really say I've done enough but you always want to get better day by day and all that. But I'm excited for it.
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"And my personal goal is obviously to win it. That would be the best case scenario. I want to go out there, enjoy myself, be the best version of myself, enjoy every moment of it and things will fall into place.
"Zim Open, it's important to a lot of people. It's our biggest tournament of the year. I don't want to say it's what we prepare for, but it's always what we're looking forward to in most cases especially if you're like not playing on the Sunshine Tour constantly. Zim Open is one of the biggest tournaments. It's exciting. Good fans, good golf course, good atmosphere and good weather. So it's really a good event. It's a good event and We're really looking forward to it," he said.
Nyamukondiwa turned pro last year after completing his studies at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The talented golfer joined the Philadelphia-based NCAA Division I University of Drexel from Western Texas College in 2020 where he graduated with a Finance Degree.
Nyamukondiwa joined the Philadelphia-based NCAA Division I University of Drexel from Western Texas College in 2020 after first clinching a golf scholarship to study and play at Western Texas College a year earlier.
After excelling at Western Texas College, Nyamukondiwa got an opportunity to continue his growth in the sport at Drexel.
He reflected on his pro career so far.
"Definitely my early days in my pro career. I've been playing well. I've played on the Bushveld Tour and I've played on the Big Easy Tour. Recently I just played qualifying school for the Sunshine Tour and made it through to the final stage, which is awesome. (2:19) I did well in the final stage. I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying the changes. And now it's different when you're playing pro golf but I'm loving every moment of it," he said.
Nyamukondiwa shot a final round 2 – under par 70 to finish in a three way tie for third place on overall 3 – under par 213 in the Betway Big Easy Tour 9 event at Ebotse Links, Benoni, South Africa in January.
