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Marc Cayeux…..lots of experience gained on the tour

As he gets ready for his final round in the Africom Zimbabwe Open, Marc Cayeux will be able to draw on the experience of winning nine times on the Sunshine Tour, as well as twice on the European Challenge Tour. Whether that will be enough to give him the edge over his playing partner for that final round, tournament leader Anthony Michael or a charge from those still with a chance to cause an upset, only this afternoon’s round will tell.

But Michael is a rookie, and is leading a tournament going into the final round for the first time in his seven-tournament career on the Sunshine Tour. And when he finished his third round in even-par 72 to hold onto his two-shot advantage over Cayeux, he admitted he had been nervous. It was only the third round, too. Who knows what it will be like as he goes off the first tee with the biggest galleries of the week pulling for Cayeux.

And that’s the crux of what will affect Cayeux as the first Zimbabwe Open in nine years heads for the finishing post. He went out and shot a superb eight-under-par 64 in his opening round – and was almost regretful because it had placed even more pressure on him as he goes in search of one of the titles most coveted by players – a home open championship.

He remembers playing in his first home open, the last one to be held before its rebirth. It was at Chapman Golf Club in 2001, and he thinks he missed the cut. He didn’t, actually, opening with a 67 and closing with a 68 to take a share of 11th behind winner Darren Fichardt, a man he hopes to succeed as Zimbabwe Open champion later today. But it won’t be those memories which will be most helpful to him as he goes about his business today.

It will be remembering how it felt during his first win, not too far north of Harare, in the 1999 Zambia Open. It will be remembering what it felt like for his last victory, the 2008 Nashua Masters. And it will be remembering that he hasn’t won since then that will drive his hunger to win as he duels with Michael – and with whomever else happens to have made a charge.

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