Zimbabwean professional golfer Visitor Mapwanya has won the 2022 SeedCo Malawi Open Golf Championship which took place at Lilongwe Golf Club.
Mapwanya won the championship after finishing with a gross score of 276. (-12).
The winner was followed by last year’s champion, also from Zimbabwe, Robson Chihnoi, who finished second with a gross score of 277 (-11), Biggy Chibvundi from Ghana, and Paul Chidale from Malawi, who finished third with a gross score of 286.
For winning the tournament, Mapwanya pocketed K3.6 million courtesy of SeedCo Malawi, whereas Chihnoi got 2 million.
The tournament brought together over 40 professional golfers from Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and hosts Malawi.
Speaking after being crowned the winner, Maphwanya said he felt very happy to be the champion of the 2022 SeedCo Malawi champion.
“Last time when I came here I didn’t play well, I struggled but I think I finished number 11. So, coming back here and finishing at number one really means a lot to me after all the hard work that I have put in this game.
“The other golfers really gave me a tough time and I loved it because without that pressure you can’t be a champion. So, I really thank those guys for playing with me and I really enjoyed playing with them,” explained Maphwanya.
He then thanked the Lilongwe Golf Club for the courtesy of the course and also the sponsors SeedCo Malawi Limited and other partners who made the event a success.
In his remarks, SeedCo Commercial Director Gift Kawamba said the tournament was very good and that as SeedCo they are committed to continue supporting game of golf in Malawi.
“We have seen a lot of competition, there is a lot of excitement and we are very happy with how the professional battle of this competition has gone so as sponsors we are really very happy.
“For us, we are here to stay and we will be making the price big as possible to make sure we are enticing and attracting golfers from outside to come and play. Our aim is to ensure that the game of golf improve in Malawi not only for amateur level but even professionals,” said Kawamba.
President of Professional Golfers Association of Malawi (PGAM) General Odillo (retired) said this year’s tournament was a success and the performance of the golfers was also good.
“The field was great and the performance of these golfers has been a success and great performance from the individual players especially the winner as you have already seen from Zimbabwe this young man has played great golf he made very few errors along they way,” explained Odillo.
The SeedCo Malawi Open golf championship drew 40 professional Golfers, 16 from Zimbabwe, 13 from Malawi, eight from Zambia and the two from South Africa.
The tournament run from Tuesday up to Friday and over the weekend the competition was extended to amateur players.
On champs division, Kamoza Longwe emerged the winner seconded Folindo and P. Lumbe on third position.
