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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S top golfer Brendon de Jonge had a good start at the ongoing Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf tournament at the TPS Scottsdale, Arizona, in the United States on Thursday.

The country’s leading golfer’s return to Phoenix saw him finish the first round in the top 10.

De Jonge went into yesterday’s second round tied in ninth place after an impressive round that saw him opening with birdies on hole number one and ten.

The former Wingate-based player had some birdies on holes one, eight, 14, 15 and 17 while he dropped a shot on nine while the rest were pars.

De Jonge was tied with Graham DeLaet, Shawn Stefani, James Hahn, Justin Leonard, Angel Cabrera and Michael Thompson on four-under-par.

Ryan Palmer is leading the tournament on seven-under-par while Tiger Woods struggled in the opening round.

Meanwhile, upcoming amateur golfer, Mpatso Kandanga, might lose his dream move to Cyprus University as he cannot raise the remainder of the tuition fees.

Kandanga, who was at Prince Edward last year, was offered a golf scholarship by Cyprus International University but is yet to pay the required US$4 500.

The Kadoma Golf Club-based amateur was offered a place to study International Law as well as pursue his golf career.

Wilson Kandanga, the father of the 20-year-old, believes his son has the talent and the scholarship will help him improve both academically and his golfing career.

“Mpatso is one of the few talents to come outside the capital and was lucky to be offered the scholarship but we cannot manage all the costs.

“We have tried to cover everything else but now we need US$4 500 so that we meet the February 18 deadline.

“Initially, he was supposed to have started in September but then we could not meet the deadline and now he was given another chance which will be, in effect, until mid next month,” said Kandanga.

The seven-handcap player is proving to be one for the future after he managed to win three titles.