Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. MEXICAN golfer shot a final round 4 – under 68 to claim a historic maiden Sunshine Tour title in his first start by four strokes over Austin Bautista from Australia in the FBC Zimbabwe Open at Royal Harare yesterday.
Carerra became the first golfer who is not from South Africa to win the tournament since Zimbabwean Mark McNulty in 2000, ending a run of 14 consecutive triumphs by players from the neighbouring country.
The 25-year-old also became the second golfer since Jean Hugo in 1999 to win a tournament on Sunshine Tour.
Carrera may have been sharper than the rest of the golfers because he played in the Sunshine Tour Qualifying School and won the tournament in South Africa three weeks ago.
He finished the tournament with 67 66 69 and 68 for a total of 18 – under 270.
” First of all I want to say Happy Mother’s to all the mothers here. I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Golf Association, this was a great event. And also title sponsors FBC Holdings thank you for making the Zim Open happen and the associate sponsors ZHL Holdings as well as all the other sponsors,” he said following his victory.
“I want to thank all the supporters and spectators I think this is best I have experienced in my golfing career. I also want to thank the Sunshine Tour because now I will be playing here. It’s a huge travel from Mexico, but winning makes it worthwhile,” the golfer added.
It was a thrilling finale to the country’s flagship golf event in which Carrera began the day one stroke ahead of Bautista.
Carrera then went on to hit an eagle on Hole 3, four birdies and two bogeys on his way to victory.
Bautista was also playing in his first tournament after earning his Tour card at the Q School last month.
The Australian shot a final round 71, having carded 67 70 and 66 earlier in the tournament to finish on 14 – under par 174.
Swedish golfer Fredrik From, who tied for fourth last year, was one place better this time around, tied for third along with South African MJ Viljoen on overall on 9 – under par.
Trevor Fisher Jr from South Africa finished fifth on 8 – under, one shot ahead of compatriot Hugo, who won the tournament in 1999.
Home favourite Robson Chinhoi achieved his best performance in the tournament to date after finishing in a four-way tie for seventh on 6 under par for the tournament.
Chinhoi shot rounds of 71, 68, 72 and 71 in four rounds and shared the place with Kyle de Beer, Samuel Simpson and veteran Hennie Otto.
A total seven local golfers made the cut in this edition of the tournament with Stuart Krog finishing in a tie for 20th place on overall.
Visitor Mapwanya, Shaheed Mahmed, Tonderai Masunga tied 39th place on 1 over while Nyasha Muyambo finished on 4 – over overall and Ryan Cairns 5 – over.
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