Staff WriterFrom the opening tee shot to his closing birdie on the 18th green, Hennie Otto reminded everyone at Royal Harare Golf Club why age is just a number on the Sunshine Tour.
The evergreen Hennie Otto, at 48, birdied his final hole to post a six-under-par 66 and snatch a one-stroke advantage over a gaggle of hungry young contenders.
And just like that, the experienced South African cast himself as the man to beat on day one of the FBC Zim Open.
While the air still held a morning chill, Otto was firing on all cylinders, stepping onto the course with a blend of steely focus and playful swagger.
He wasted no time dispatching birdies across the front nine, treating each fairway like old friends he’d simply dropped in to visit.
“I felt comfortable out there,” Otto said, his voice betraying none of the aches that often accompany a tour veteran of his stature. “The wind was tricky, but I managed to keep my composure.”
Not to be outdone, South Africa’s Tyrone Ryan set the early clubhouse target with a tidy 67.
It wasn’t long before he was joined by another senior stalwart, Doug McGuigan, plus the rising hope Luis Carrera—fresh off his Sunshine Tour Qualifying School victory in April—and Austin Bautista, whose consistent play through his second nine produced five consecutive birdies.
Yet when Otto sank a 12-footer on 18 to turn a share of the lead into outright possession, the message was clear: don’t bet against the veteran.
For Otto, this week carries a whiff of nostalgia. His previous brushes with contention in Zimbabwe date back to 1998, when he finished seventh as Nick Price reigned supreme, followed by third in 1999 and a 13th-place showing in 2010. Now, nearly three decades later, he stands on the brink of a 15th Sunshine Tour title—and his first since lifting silverware in 2023.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve been in contention here,” Otto admitted, gazing over the perfectly manicured greens.
“But I know this golf course, and if I can keep this momentum going, I’ve got as good a chance as anyone.”
Not everyone found the Royal Harare breeze so accommodating. Defending champion Michael Hollick struggled to a 78, a score he’ll be keen to erase come Friday.
Conversely, JC Ritchie—2017’s winner—produced a solid 69, sitting three shots back and quietly plotting his own charge up the leaderboard.
As the curtain rises on the Sunshine Tour’s 2025/26 season, the FBC Zim Open delivers the perfect tableau: seasoned veterans sparring with bright-eyed talent, the frosty morning air punctuated by the crack of drives and murmurs of excitement.
Tomorrow, the story will continue to unfold. Will Hennie Otto extend his lead and etch another chapter onto his storied résumé?
Or will the youngsters rally to remind us that while experience counts, ambition knows no age limit? Only time—and 36 more holes—will tell.
