Malawi’s top ranked professional golfer Paul Chidale turned on a five-star performance to win the 2026 Vodacom Tanzania Open and cart home 9.35 million shillings (about K6.1 million) .

He had one stroke over par in the four-day tournament played at Kiri Golf Course in Arusha to beat his runner-up Nuru Mollel of Tanzania, who had five strokes over par while third-placed Robinson Owiti from Kenya finished third with five strokes over par.

The runner-up and third-placed received 6.35 million (about K4.1 million) shillings and 4.35 million shillings (about K2.84 million), respectively as their prizes.

In an interview yesterday, Chidale attributed his success to confidence.

He said: “I think self-belief was the secret behind my success.  My best performance was on the third day. I started badly, but I eventually picked up and went into the last day leading by three strokes.

“I am so excited because the tournament attracted some of the best professional golfers in Africa.”

Chidale held the lead at five-under-par after carding a 69 in the third round.

Tanzania Golf Union chairperson Gilman Kasiga was quoted by thecitizen.co.tz as having described the tournament as highly competitive.

About 200 golfers took part in the event, which features highly on the African Pro-AM golf calendar.

Last month, Chidale shone at Pearl of Africa Sunshine Development Tour in Uganda where he finished second to Ugandan Ronald Rugumayo.