Makhetha Mazibuko does not have the best of memories of his time in Swaziland, having had no success there in the past five years, but this week’s Lombard Insurance Classic at Royal Swazi Spa Country Club might be the turning of his fortunes.
A member of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 development initiative, Mazibuko is aware of his misfortune there and is intent on turning things around when he tees off on Friday.
‘I don’t have the best experience here. I have struggled a lot in the past with the putting, and I don’t really know what to put it down to,’ he said of the last five seasons,
‘I have been working very hard, because on this course you need to hit the fairways and the greens. Accuracy will be important for me to give myself chances.’
Mazibuko didn’t play last year, failed to qualify the year before, missed the cut in 2014 and withdrew in 2013. He has not made the cut in the first couple of events this season, and to cement a solid spot on the Order of Merit early on, an improved showing will be required for the man from Bloemfontein.
‘In Zimbabwe I struggled from the tee-box, but at Investec (Swazi Open) the greens were perfect, so I am confident of my game,’ Mazibuko said. ‘But as I said, I work to keep improving and this week I need to be sharp from the tee-box. If I hit enough fairways and greens then I will have chances for putts.’
He is also encouraged by seeing members of the Gary Player Class of 2017-18 proving to be worthy competitors. Sipho Bujela is the latest from that group to shine, as his shared 15th place finish at the Investec Royal Swazi Open gave him his first top-20 finish this season.
Keenan Davidse is another player in that group whose consistency at producing good results has seen him enter the top 20 in the Order of Merit, where he lies 11th.
‘I think the guys are hungrier now, everyone is pulling his weight,’ Mazibuko said. ‘And, I also believe there is a lot of talent in this group and it is only a matter of time before one wins some silverware. We will see the results.”
Mazibuko, Toto Thimba Jr, Heinrich Bruiners and Lindani Ndwandwe are already in the field at Lombard, while Jacquin Hess, Bujela, and 10 other fellow squad members will have to attempt to qualify to earn a spot in Swaziland.
