In a performance that transcended the pursuit of personal glory, professional golfer Liberty Gumisa achieved his best career finish on Tour last weekend, securing an impressive second place at the Lome Open in Togo.
His remarkable showing, which saw him shoot rounds of 70, 71, 67, and 73 to finish at seven-under-par 281, was a poignant dedication to his late friend and golf partner, Morton Kombai, and a tribute to all those affected by a tragic road traffic accident that claimed Kombai’s life.
Gumisa was the sole Zimbabwean participant in the Lome Open, making his runner-up finish all the more significant.
“I feel great after finishing second in Togo. It was a long overdue performance which I have been waiting for. This is my best finish on Tour. It was a good week for me and I was playing so well," Gumisa shared in an exclusive interview.
His grit was evident, as he revealed he battled malaria throughout the tournament. “Unfortunately I got sick a day before the tournament with malaria, but I managed to play the whole tournament. On the third where I shot five-under I was vomiting on the golf course but I managed to be strong and kept on fighting.”
The emotional weight of his tour, which began in Ghana before concluding in Togo, was palpable.
Gumisa dedicated his impressive showing to Kombai, who tragically passed away following the conclusion of the FC Zim Open in a road traffic accident in Harare.
While Kombai was the only fatality, fellow Zimbabwean golfers Biggie Chibvuri and Tonderai Masunga, along with Victor Kachepatsonga (Malawi) and Lucky Ayisa (Ghana), survived the accident, were hospitalised, and subsequently discharged.
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Gumisa’s tribute began in Ghana, where he wore two different shoes — one on his left for his late close friend and touring partner Kombai, and one on his right for himself.
His golf balls were also marked with “MK” initials in memory of Morton Kombai. In Togo, he broadened his tribute, marking his balls with the initials of all five golfers involved in the accident, including those who survived.
The bond between Gumisa and Kombai ran deep. Both hailed from the Midlands province, Gumisa from Gweru and Kombai from Zvishavane, and they shared an inseparable golf journey.
“Kombai was a close friend of mine. It was hard for me to start touring without because we were always together,” Gumisa reflected.
“When I played in Asantehene 68th Open on June 11 in Ghana it was exactly one month after he passed on. I decided to wear different shoes in remembrance of him of which one the left represented him and the other one on the left myself. All my golf balls were written ‘MK’ in his memory.”
He also acknowledged the support he received from the survivors, stating: “I am grateful to the guys who had the accident with Morton like Chibvuri and Soko Soko (Lucky Ayisa), they were in support all the time, which gave me that extra motivation. Tonderai Masunga and Victor Kachepatsonga they were close to me.”
Gumisa shared the history of their friendship, highlighting how he had helped Kombai turn professional and secure sponsorship.
“We came a long way. He started playing golf before me, but I was the first to turn pro. Because we are both from Midlands he came to me for advise. When he turned pro I helped him to get sponsorship from Mimosa and Buyworld Motors. He first tournament was in Uganda and we travelled together and I was showing him the rope. And from then onward we were touring together. We became family. We both loved junior golf development and we worked together in that. He made a huge impact at Roland Park with young golfers in Zvishavane.”
Looking ahead, Gumisa is committed to honouring Kombai’s legacy through golf.
“For Morton Kombai, we are looking into do a lot. I will try to make sure that we honour him in Midlands and make sure that we have a Morton Kombai Golf Day every year. I will try to make sure that he is remembered in all the tournaments in Midland especially those that he won when he was still an amateur.
"Personally I will continue playing for him because he made a huge impact in golf I learnt a lot from him. I know I am older but through touring together you end up learning from each other. It is also a challenge for us as professional golfers to support the other guys who were involved in the accident.”
Gumisa also expressed immense gratitude for the unwavering support he has received from his sponsors, Glow Petroleum, who have stood by him for close to seven years. "I am grateful to my sponsors Glowing Petroleum. They have supported me from Day 1. Even during Morton loss they supported they were always there. All the tournaments that I have participated they are always there through the highs and low. I believe together we will go further."
With his sights set on further success, Gumisa plans to participate in the Sunshine Tour development tour in Kenya.
“Going forward I want to play Sunshine Tour development tour in Kenya. I have applied and they have approved my membership so I am expecting to go to Kenya anytime this month,” he said.
