De Jonge withdraws from Zim Open

Michael Kariati

ZIMBABWE’s top golfer, Brendon de Jonge, has announced he will not take part in next week’s R1,8 million Zimbabwe Open Golf Tournament , citing a busy schedule on the US PGA Tour.The tournament organisers had hoped the United States based professional golfer would take to the greens at Royal Harare Golf Club next Thursday.

But de Jonge this week indicated he would not take part in the tournament which is bankrolled by Delta Beverages, the country’s biggest brewer, through its Golden Pilsener brand.
Speaking to the Financial Gazette Sport, the tournament director and secretary, Michael Mahachi, confirmed that the 2012 Zimbabwe Sportsperson of the Year Award winner will not be part of the event this year.
“We had sent an invite to Brendon (de Jonge) and he has now indicated to us that he cannot come as he has a tight schedule,” said Mahachi.
Participation in US PGA Tour is confirmed well in advance and the Zimbabwe Open is running at the same time with the Masters Tournament on the US PGA Tour in which De Jonge has been trying to qualify for though the preceding events or through a Top 50 World Ranking Position.
Failure to take part in US PGA Tour after having confirmed participation results in heavy sanctions.

Mahachi was however, hopeful de Jonge will be available for next year’s competition which will be the sixth since the Open returned after an eight year absence.
“We hope he will be able to put us on his schedule for next year.”
The country has not produced a champion since the tournament’s return in 2010. Tongoona Charamba’s 10th finish in last year’s competition was the best for the country.

The last Zimbabwean golfer to win the competition was Marc McNulty who won the contest way back in 2000.
Defending champion, South Africa’s Jbe Kruger who also won the tournament in 2010, will be part of this year’s top class field of 156 golfers on the course.