Zimbabwe-born Chinese golfer Shijie Li has expressed delight after capturing his first amateur title in Zimbabwe with an eight-stroke victory at the Mashonaland West Golf Union (MAWEGU) championship in Norton on Sunday.
Li fired a brilliant final round 7 – 7-under par 65 for a 4 – under par 212 total at the par 72 Norton Country Club.
The 19-year-old had carded and 79 in the first two rounds on Saturday.
Munesu Chimhini, who carded 77, 74, and 69 to close on 4–over par 220 was second in the tournament while Tanaka Chatora finished third, three shots further back after rounds of 72, 78, and 73.
Li finished second at Manicaland Amateur as well as at Matabeleland Amateur to Keegan Shutt, who won both tournaments.
“I feel great because I have been close and haven’t been able to get the job done in Manicaland, losing by 1 shot, and Matabeleland, where I lost by 2 strokes. So, to finally get the job done feels great and is a very big confidence builder for me going forward,” he told this publication in an exclusive interview.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel any pressure because I have been feeling confident about my game, so it was just a matter of time. Fortunately, I was able to fire a solid final round to clinch the victory.
“I am very happy with my golf this year as it has been a continuous upward trend, and it just keeps getting better and better. My targets for this year are to get into Zim Open in May and win the amateur tournament there as well as winning Club Champs at Royal Harare Golf Club,” he said.
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Born at Avenues Clinic in Harare to Chinese nationals, South Africa’s Bramble Hill International Academy product reflected on his golf journey thus far.
“I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. It’s a very interesting story about my journey’s beginning. I started playing golf when I was eight, but I wasn’t a fan of the sport, so I stopped playing until Covid-19 hit us.
“That is when I was just so bored at home, so I started hitting balls into the net, and all of a sudden I fell in love with the game and ever since then I’ve been pursuing this sport,” he revealed.
Li attended Twin Rivers school in Harare from Grade 1 to 4 before moving to Springvale House, Grade 5 – 7, and then Peterhouse Boys School from 1 and 2.
He also spent a term Hellenic in Form before he moved to the renowned golf institution Bramble Hill International Academy in George, South Africa, where he completed my studies.
