De Jonge has never taken part in the competition at home, but one of the organisers of the competition, Michael Mahachi, hoped would be able to lure the golfer to Zimbabwe this time round. Mahachi said they had already sent an invite to De Jonge in time for him to fit the Zimbabwe Open into his schedule. The invitation comes as Zimbabweans are losing grip on the title, which for the past seven years has gone to South Africa, with Joe Kruger the current defending champion.
The last time Zimbabwe clinched the title was way back in 2000, when Mark McNulty took it home. Coincidentally, McNulty holds the record of the highest number of three wins at the tournament, which he shares with countryman and former world number one Nick Price.
The Zimbabwe Open was not held between 2002 and 2010 due to the non-availability of a sponsor. The late Anderson Rusike who won the inaugural tournament in 1984, remains the only amateur golfer to have won the Zimbabwe Open.