By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

ZAMBIA’S Madalitso Muthiya sunk five birdies on his way to finishing the Vodacom Origins of Golf presented by Samsung Tournament in fifth place with a three-round score of eight-under-par 206.
Muthiya’s eight-under-par was three shots off winner Christiaan Basson, a former Zambia Open champion and junior golf team coach.
His five birdies were, however, blighted by a bogey towards the end but it was enough for him to pick up R30,550 (about K26,273) prize money.
Having enjoyed a steady performance in the first two days of the tournament where he carded two-under-70 on each of the first two days, Muthiya roared with anger in yesterday’s last round to double his advantage.
After sinking his fifth birdie on the 12th hole and taking his score to nine-under, Muthiya looked headed for better fortunes and started attacking the pin but a bogey on the 15th hole made him realise to play safe.
He played level par on the remaining three holes to end yesterday with four-under-par 68 and finish as the day’s second best player, only beaten by Zander Lombard of South Africa, who was a shot better.
This strong finish underlines Muthiya’s long-sought aim which is to steady his game from day to day and always have a strong finish.
It was one of Muthiya’s best finishes on the Sunshine Tour and having played consistently over this just-started new season, he looks destined for more success.
Muthiya’s performance was also a good compensation for Zambia after Dayne Moore missed the cut following an awful second round where he had a one-day score of 15-over-par.
Zambia 2014 Sugar Open winner Lyle Rowe was 13th on the leader board with four-under-par 212 which was just a shot better than another former winner in Zambia Tyrone Ferreira.