Smith makes strong comeback
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday September 16, 2015 15:43
He subsequently missed the cut for the European Tour that was held in Mauritius, but has since bounced back in recent weeks to make three cuts in a row. Ranked in the top 100 on Sunshine Tour, the golfer has missed several cuts.
Stuart Smith’s father, Steve told Mmegi Sport this week that Stuart has been focusing on modified swing techniques with his Serengeti based coach, Doug Wood for the past few months.
He said in the past three weeks, Stuart was back again in the limelight, making three cuts in a row and with two top twenty finishes.
“His highlights have been rounds of 65 at the Wild Waves tournament three weeks ago, and a superb 63 gross and best for day two at Vaal de Grace in Parys last week.
This gives him the confidence he needs going into the end of the season over the next three months, with eight tournaments left,” he said.
Stuart told the media in South Africa this week that he had a problem with his right scapula ligament early on this year, causing tightness and injury.
He said together with his coach, they had adjusted for more hip rotation in the past months to alleviate the problem.
Stuart explained that the changes are part of aligning the sportsman’s kinetic make up with what suits the swing.
“This has helped me minimise any injury risk and has improved my consistency off the tee box and into greens.
It takes some time to make these adjustments, but I feel really good for the coming weeks ahead.
My current focus is on a short game and this is what makes or breaks a player when under pressure. Rounds of 65 & 63 is when that comes together,” he said.
Stuart’s next assignment is at Mt Bloemfontein in the Windmill Challenge this weekend and will head off to the Eastern Cape for three weeks in October 2015.
Stuart, who is sponsored by M&P Cables Botswana and Bluetree World of Golf, told Mmegi Sport that despite being a top professional golfer and elite sportsman, nothing has been forthcoming from the Botswana National Sports Commission over the past three years to assist in his development and training costs, which starts at a minimum P300,000 per annum for the tour professionals.