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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

KEEGAN Shutt produced a stunning comeback to finish second at the Africa Amateur Championship, which concluded at Leopard Creek in South Africa on Saturday.

The 18-year-old ended the tournament just two shots behind the winner, Bryan Newman of South Africa.
Shutt, who finished on six-under-par 282, mounted a late charge towards the eventual winner, Newman, who posted eight-under-par 280.

The final round began with the Zimbabwean teenager in fifth place, following an impressive third-round performance in which he shot six-under-par 66. At that stage, he trailed Newman by four strokes.

Shutt carded a solid three-under-par 69 in the final round on Saturday.
He birdied the par-three fifth hole and the par-four sixth hole on his front nine. However, a triple-bogey on the par-three seventh hole, where he took six strokes, briefly derailed his progress.

On the back nine, Shutt regained momentum with birdies at the par-four 10th hole, the par-five 13th hole, the par-five 15th hole, and the par-three 16th hole. His putting was sharp, and he finished the round with a strong showing on the greens.

Speaking after the tournament, Shutt admitted to feeling disappointed, particularly about the triple-bogey on the seventh hole, which he felt was where he lost the title.

Nevertheless, he expressed overall satisfaction with his performance in the final two rounds and congratulated Newman on his victory.

Keegan Shutt

“A little bit of disappointment. I don’t think I’m going to forget that triple on the seventh for a while. I think that’s where I lost it today. I’m very happy with the way I fought back these last two days. I think I played very good golf.

“Well done to Bryan. I tried to make a late charge on him. I came in with some birdies, but he managed to hold it together and finished strong. Really well done to him,” said Shutt.

Shutt began the tournament with a two-over-par 74, followed by a one-over-par 73 in the second round. In the third, he produced an excellent six-under-par 66 and then completed the event with a three-under-par 69 in the final round.

Despite his impressive performance, Shutt missed out on an exemption into The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, as well as spots in The Amateur Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, The Investec South African Open, and the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions powered by Attacq.

Tanaka Chatora

Fellow Zimbabwean Tanaka Chatora finished tied for 16th on eight-over-par 296. Chatora began the competition with an outstanding seven-under-par 65 in the first round but followed it with a three-over-par 75 in the second.

He then shot five-over-par 77 in the third round and concluded with a seven-over-par 77 in the final round.
Michael Wallace finished in 28th place with a score of 19-over-par 307, posting round scores of 75, 82, 70, and 80. He was one stroke ahead of Darlington Chikanyambidze, who tied for 29th with a gross of 20-over-par 308, with round scores of 75, 79, 80, and 74.

In the Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, which concluded on Friday, Danielle Bekker secured 9th place with a score of 23-over-par 239.

Her round scores were 78, 80, and 81, finishing one stroke ahead of Miriam Masiya, who ended in 10th place with 24-over-par 240 (round scores of 80, 81, and 79).

The third Zimbabwean female player, Primrose, finished tied for 18th with a score of 49-over-par 265, carding rounds of 86, 85, and 94.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Kruger National Park, the Africa Amateur Championship provides a world-class platform for emerging talent in the region to showcase their skills on the international stage.

The Africa Amateur Championship and Africa Amateur Women’s Invitational, developed by The R&A, aim to nurture talent and offer a pathway for the continent’s top amateur golfers to progress onto the global scene.