Fichardt, 85th in the world, has won four European Tour titles, which include the 2003 Qatar Masters. He also partnered Retief Goosen in representing South Africa at the World Cup of Golf in 2000. Fichardt, who withdrew from this weekend’s Spanish Open after receiving an invitation from the Zimbabwe Open organising committee, will be one of 105 South African entries alongside defending champion, Chris Swanapoel. The hosts have 20 participants.
South Africans have won the past four titles. The last time the hosts won was way back in 2000, when Marc McNulty recorded his third championship. He and compatriot, Nick Price, still hold the record for the highest number of Zimbabwe Open titles with three apiece.
South Africa will also field hardened professionals like James Kamte, Hennie Otto and Trevor Fishher Jr, who lost last year’s tournament in the play offs. Seasoned Sunshine Tour campaigner, Tongoona Charamba, and Ryan Cairns will lead Zimbabwe’s onslaught.