NDINAWE SIMPELWE
Ndola
SOUTH Africa’s Pieter Moolman yesterday fired a nine-under-par 63 to take the first round lead at the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Challenge while most Zambian players recorded average results.
Moolman established a twoshot advantage over compatriots Oliver Goldhill, Jaco Prinsloo and Estiaan Conradie who all tied on seven-under-par 65 at Nchanga Golf Club in Chingola.
Moolman was in an impressive form as he carded seven birdies and one eagle, f inishing the day bogey-free, while Goldhill, who also shot a bogey-free round, had five birdies and one eagle.
Prinsloo, on the other hand, was denied top position by two bogeys, which dented his card of six birdies and one eagle, while Conradie carded seven birdies, one eagle and two bogeys.
The trio is expected to challenge Moolman for the top slot as the competition enters The trio finished on 22nd day two today. Another South African, Toto Thimba Junior, was fifth on sixunder-par, tied with compatriot Stals Swart, while Ethan Smith occupied seventh position on five-under.
The opening day belonged largely to the South Africans, who occupied most of the top positions, while the Zambian trio of Morton Muwowo, Cosmas Mufaya and Gabriel Chibale were the best-placed after carding rounds of two-under-par 70. place alongside several international competitors, including South Africa’s Wynand Dingle, Stuart Krog, who won the Mopani Zambia Open last week, Jacques Blaauw, Keenan Davidse, Jacques P de Villiers, Quintin Wilsnach and Martin Rohwer, as well as Zimbabwe’s Robson Chinhoi and Uganda’s Ronald Rugumayo.
The encouraging start by Muwowo, Mufaya and Chibale keeps Zambian hopes alive heading into today’s second ZAMBIA’S NEWS LEADER round as players battle for positions ahead of the cut. However, it was the best return from injury for Madalitso Muthiya after carding a six over 78 and will look to improve today.
Other local golfers – amateurs Gilbert Chalwe and Innocent Chalwe – carded one over par 71 while Aaron Simfukwe f inished on two over par 74, same as amateurs Michael Chuma and Dominic Musonda, while Dayne Moore played level par 72.
