One Last Swing, A Proud Farewell: Shutt Shines in ...

One Last Swing, A Proud Farewell: Shutt Shines in Junior Open Finale

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Zimbabwe's rising golf star, Keegan Shutt, may have narrowly missed out on a fairytale finish to his junior career, but his stellar performance at the just-concluded First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open was a testament to his talent and dedication. In a bittersweet moment, the tournament marked Shutt's final appearance in junior competitions as he approaches his 19th birthday on May 10th.

Hoping to clinch the title on home soil at the picturesque Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate, Shutt encountered an unstoppable force in South African golfer Andries van der Vyer. Van der Vyer's exceptional form saw him claim victory with an impressive 11-under par 205 over the three-day event.

Undeterred, Shutt showcased his own remarkable skills, carding consistent rounds of 70, 69, and a final day brilliance of 67 to finish a close second on 10-under par 206. Reflecting on his performance, a composed yet proud Shutt shared, "I am speechless because I played well today. I shot 67, but Andries played even better by shooting 63 and setting the new course record here at the Brooke. So, hats off to him; he did well. But yeah, I am proud of myself for finishing my junior career like I did today."

He further elaborated on his weekend's play, "I was very happy with how I played this weekend. Just one or two mistakes here and there, but that's golf; it's always going to happen. You just have to forget about them, keep moving forward and do the best you can every time, every shot."

Shutt also expressed his gratitude towards the tournament sponsors, First Capital Bank Zimbabwe. "Well done to First Capital Bank for their sponsorship and what they do for this tournament. It's a very big tournament and I'm happy that my last junior tournament was this one because it's a special one, being in my home country and being the biggest junior tournament for Zimbabwe. So, I am very happy that this is my last one," he added with a smile.

Despite the end of his junior chapter, Shutt's golfing journey continues as he is set to compete in the prestigious Zim Open, teeing off next week.

First Capital Bank Zimbabwe's significant investment of US$50,000 in the junior open underscores their commitment to nurturing young talent. Tapera Mushoriwa, the bank's chief executive officer, eloquently captured this sentiment, stating, “What began as an idea in 2022 has now become a regional beacon of youth development. We are deeply committed to shaping the future, not just through banking, but through empowering young minds and talents. At First Capital Bank, we believe in every swing, every step forward, every dream taking flight. Every swing taken at this tournament represents a bold future and every young player is a reflection of what’s possible when the right support meets real talent. We are first to believe, first to back the future — and proud of it."

The fourth edition of the First Capital Bank Zimbabwe Junior Open attracted a diverse field of 61 talented golfers from seven different nations, including France, China, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and the host nation, Zimbabwe, highlighting its growing regional significance. While Keegan Shutt's junior career concludes, his impressive performance serves as a vibrant prelude to his future endeavors in the amateur and potentially professional ranks.