Q. Where did you first fall in love with golf?
TANAKA CHATORA: The first thing that got me into the game or the first person that brought me into the game was my dad. He started playing golf about 10 years ago. He used to go out on the course, play some golf. One day I was like, where are you going, and I found it quite interesting at the time because there was nothing else to do at home. Home kind of felt quite boring, and I thought it was a good idea to go out and play golf.
The first day I played golf I enjoyed it, and I've been doing it since.
Q. Speaking of home, can you tell us a little bit about golf in Zimbabwe, what it's like, how is it growing, what are the courses like?
TANAKA CHATORA: Yeah, golf in Zimbabwe, right now it's great actually. We've been given lots of opportunities with the R&A, and they've been really developing golf in the country very well.
We've obviously had great stars in the game like Nick Price and many other -- Brendon de Jonge. It's a great place to play golf. I really enjoy the courses there, and it's very interesting to play golf one day at a great course like (indiscernible) to manage yourself around the course.
Q. Can you explain how important the Africa Amateur championship is for you guys coming from Zimbabwe?
TANAKA CHATORA: Yeah, it's a great opportunity. Very, very great. The different exemptions that you can get from the tournament are really nice. You have a chance to play in the Open. You have a chance to play in the Amateur Championship. Those are two great tournaments for an amateur (indiscernible), and if you can have a chance to play there anytime, anywhere, it's a great opportunity.
Q. Tell us a little bit about outside of golf. What are your interests when you're not playing golf? What do you do for fun?
TANAKA CHATORA: Well, outside of golf, maybe two years ago, I used to do a bit of art and design. I really enjoyed that. It was quite peaceful, and I think it really helps you be creative. You may need that creativity when you're on the golf course. I think it was a great hobby of mine to have, but as of late, I don't think I've been doing much in terms of my own hobbies. I've been quite golf based.
I think I might just go back to doing a bit of art because I really miss it.
Q. What sort of artwork or what sort of art?
TANAKA CHATORA: Mainly portraits. That's the type of art that I used to do. I think my pencil work is quite sharp, and I really enjoyed that.
Q. Do you have some photos of the artwork that we could use?
TANAKA CHATORA: Yeah, I could try and find some. Maybe if I can get my mom to take some pictures.
Q. Who inspires you as a player or as a person? Who inspires you in the game of golf?
TANAKA CHATORA: The person who inspires me in the game of golf, I know it may be cliche, but it's definitely my dad. He got me into the game in the first place, and I really look up to him. As much as it may not seem like it, I really do.
Q. If you were an animal in the safari, what animal would you be and why?
TANAKA CHATORA: Yeah, it has to be a leopard. I think if I could be any animal in the safari, it would be a leopard because they're quite slick, quite on the low, and I think that really resembles me. I'm not very outgoing, and I'm quite introverted, but I can show you my teeth when I need to.
Q. Can you tell me what your natural shot shape is, for example?
TANAKA CHATORA: My natural shot shape on the golf course, as of late, I'm not quite sure, but I usually try and stick to a draw. But as of late, I've been kind of moving it a bit left to right.
Q. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
TANAKA CHATORA: I think my biggest strength in golf are probably my wedges. I have a great feel for the wedges. I really enjoy kind of hitting a lot of wedges out there on the range. I think it's quite satisfying.
Q. What's your green light number, if you had a yardage where you're like, 90 yards, 100 yards, 105, bang, I'm going at this?
TANAKA CHATORA: I think my green light yardage has to be 80 metres into the wind.
Q. How are you playing at the moment? Where is your golf game at at the moment and how confident are you feeling about competing this week?
TANAKA CHATORA: I'm feeling quite confident coming into this week. I think my golf game in general is quite solid. I just have to work on the driver a bit and keep myself on the fairway, and I think if I can do that throughout the week, I'll be coming close to contention each and every day.
Q. You mentioned the chance to play Leopard Creek over the last few days. What are your impressions of it so far?
TANAKA CHATORA: I would say Leopard Creek is a great course. I really enjoy the layout. There are many ways to distract yourself. When you're out on the course, you can kind of focus on golf or the time at the end of the sometimes you can look over to the side and see a buffalo by the water, and it's really nice. I think the greens are playing quite tough, lots of slopes. You can't leave yourself in the wrong positions. I think that'll be a very contributing factor. You can't leave yourself in bad positions.
Q. You mentioned getting into contention. If you were to be there on Saturday lifting the trophy, how would that feel for you?
TANAKA CHATORA: Yeah, that would be great. Lifting the Africa Amateur trophy would be amazing. I think I would definitely get very emotional. It would be a great, great opportunity. Probably my best achievement so far in my life.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports