LAHORE, March 2: Despite posting the day’s best score of three-under-69 Shafique Masih and Mehmood Kayani, the first day leader Abbas Ali with two-day aggregate of three-under-141 and second placed Matloob Ahmed with one-under-143 maintained their position on the second day of the fifth Faysal Bank Open golf championship at the Lahore Gymkhana course Saturday.

Abbas who shot a two-under-70 on the first day finished the second day at one-under-71 (35+36) to further increase his lead to two strokes over Matloob Ahmed.

He was on target while completing the first nine at two-under-35 with birdies at the first, fifth and the seventh and solitary bogey at the fourth. But coming back, he stumbled and conceded two strokes one each at the 11th and the 12th. But a birdie at the 16th helped him to retain the top spot. Matloob, Shafique, Mehmood with one-under 143 are in joint second spot.

Matloob played one extra stroke to first day and finished Saturday at par-72 (38+34). He had a mixed first nine which laced with two birdies at the second and the fifth and three lost strokes at the fourth, sixth and the eighth.

However, he regained his composure and staged a brilliant come back to complete the final nine hole at one-under with a birdie at the 13th and the 16th after losing only a stroke at the tenth. But the day was belongeg to Masih and Kayani who fired the best card of three-under-69 each which lifted them from fifth position to join the group of the second position holders. Masih did the first nine hole at four-under 33 with an eagle at the seventh and birdies at the sixth and the ninth. Shafique, however, slipped a bit and did the last nine at one-over 36 losing a stroke at the 10th and the 12th before earning lone birdie at the 14th.

Mehmood seemed a birdie-hunger as he saved six strokes three each on the inner and as many at the outer ways. He lost three strokes at the fifth, 11th and the 17th before mustering the best best return of the day.

Ghulam Nabi was down to the third place from the second after posting a card of one-over-73 (39+34) which made his aggregate of par-144. A double bogey and the birdie-less first round jolted Ghulam as he finished it at two-over-39.

He held his nerve despite losing two strokes at the 10th and the 11th to register three birdies at the 15th, 16th and the 18th holes.

At two-over-146, Muhammad Akram and Muhammad Sultan were two other who also distinguished themselves to finish in fourth position. Akram who earned bad four-over-76 on first day, ended the second two-under-70 for an aggregate of 146. At 147, Muhammad Munir 74+73 and Akhtar Ali (73+74) were joint fifth.

In the amateurs event, Shahid Javed Khan posted a one-over-73 (39+34), but maintained his top position. He had two-day total of 144 (71+73).

Jameela Jabbar of Lahore Garrison won the two-day gross event while Shahzadi Gulfam (Police) was the runner-up in the ladies event.

The 31-handicapper Ayesha Amin (Lahore Gymkhana) won the net trophy while the 35-handicapper Beyla Azam (Gymkhana) was the runner-up.