IT was not a Zimbabwean affair again at this year’s edition of the Golden Pilsener Zimbabwe Open golf tournament after South African Lyle Rowe played a consistent final round to claim the title at the Royal Harare Golf Club yesterday.

Rowe had to maintain focus on his game going into the final day and his diligence finally paid off when he finished on nine-under-277, two shots ahead of compatriot Dylan Frittelli.

The 27-year old Rowe carded a five under-par-67 in the final round to claim only his second Sunshine Tour tournament in as many years since his success at the 2014 Zambia Open.

“It’s great to finally get a win again. It’s been a while so it’s nice to win. Zimbabwe is a great place and we had a great tournament.

“I had about six shots ahead of me so I knew if I played well you never know with the pressure coming down the last (round). It’s a tight stretch.

“The turning point was when I made such a good shot on 14. I made a very nice putt which helped me get that extra movement,” said Rowe.

He said his win was a big boost as he is now heading north of the Limpopo for the Zambia Open which is next on the Sunshine Tour.

“I am looking forward to some more of the same, keep the game going and maybe get a couple of more wins. The Zimbabwe Open is a great tournament and it has a lot of good winners (in the past). I hope the momentum from this tournament carries over.

“I am now heading to Zambia and I am looking forward to playing because I won there two years ago. So it’s nice going back where you have won before.”

Fellow South Africans Louis de Jager and Bryce Easton shared second place with a score of eight-under-par 280.

Easton particularly had a bright day when he carded a six under-66.

Scott Vincent was the best placed Zimbabwean following an impressive seven-under-65 which left him tied on fourth place together with South Africans Hennie du Plessis, Mark Murless, Breyten Meyer and Swedish golfer Jonathan Agren.

Vincent, who had a disappointing score in the third round after going five-over, said he was happy with the way things turned out on the final day and believes the positive support he got from the home crowd worked to his advantage.

“Obviously it feels good but I am still a little disappointed by yesterday’s (Saturday) round. I just had a bad day yesterday but it’s a nice way to finish today. It’s always good coming home and playing in front of home crowd and getting some support for a change, it’s great,” said Vincent.

“Sunshine Tours always have a lot of good players. The field is always strong and there is always a lot of good players. The scores are good. The course is playing a little harder this year than the previous years.”

Vincent recovered from the horror of the previous day when he posted a five-over-77 which could have cost him dearly in his claim to be the first Zimbabwean to win the tournament since it returned in 2010 from a nine year hiatus. Zimbabwe golf legend Nick Price, Tony Johnstone and Mark McNulty are the only local professionals to have won the tournament.

Mark Williams was the second best Zimbabwean with a par score 288 and was tied on 30th position with five other players.

Zimbabwe- born Dean Burmester, who competes under the South African flag, was the defending champion but his bid to emulate childhood hero Nick Price ended in frustration as he finished seven shots off the pace.

Local rising star Kieran Vincent emerged as the Zimbabwe Open amateur champion with a final score of four-over-292.

Vincent, who is Scott’s sibling, believes his achievement is a step in the right direction. The younger Vincent and David Amm were the only Zimbabwean amateurs who made the cut.

“I have been working hard and I am happy following my brother Scott’s footsteps and I am thankful.

“I was hitting the ball well and it just reflects where my future will be, I hit the ball hard.

“We have a lot of good amateurs and it was competitive, it was tough out there and I just had to settle down,” he said.

The player will leave for college in August and believes he should work hard and make an impact in the United States of America.

“I will continue working hard. It was intimidating but after making the cut all was well,” Vincent said.

“It feels good to be among the best and playing against seasoned players is hard. I believe some players like Stuart Krogg and David Amm are doing well,” said Vincent.