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Takudzwa Chitsiga Harare Bureau
GARY Thompson won this year’s edition of the Hwange Open golf championships at the Colliery at the weekend. The former television personality, who turned professional last year, beat 49 other players and pocketed $3,000.

Thompson capped his maiden professional win with a four-under-par 212 after carding rounds of 70, 72 and 70. “It was a great game, I knew my opponents as we grew up competing against each other,” said Thompson.

“We’ve been in the same teams with most of the top players and it was a good experience to win my first tournament. “Hwange is a competitive course which needs focus but as an emotional person I put everything behind and managed my putts well.

“I believe the win is a sign of greater things to come and I now look forward to playing in the next tournaments in South Africa.

“The win is a morale-booster for me as I’m now eyeing the upcoming Sun City tournament.”

Thompson even beat Stephen Ferreira who won the Big Easy Tour tournament recently.

Ferreira was tied in second place with amateur Robson Chinhoi on two-under-par.

Brian Gondo finished fourth.

He had rounds of 72, 74 and 69.

Simon Thabang of South Africa finished fifth and pocketed $1,350.

Tongo Charamba was disqualified for not carding his hole number nine score in the second round.