LAHORE, Oct 19: Showing consistency, Muhammad Akram (Lahore Gymkhana) not only maintained top position but also brightened his chances to win the All-Pakistan Open Garrison Golf Championship professional event on the penultimate day at the Lahore Garrison course Saturday.

Akram, tied with Shabbir Iqbal at first position (Islamabad) on the first day after firing the identical card of 66 each, had the solo flight when he entered another fine card of five-under-67 to accumulate a two-day total of 11-under-133 (66+67). Akram got seven birdies and two bogeys. He started the day with great achievements by registering one birdie each at the first three holes before losing a stroke at the 4th. He added two more birdies at the 8th and the 9th to finish the outer way at four-under-32. Coming back, Akram could earn only two birdies at the 12th and the 18th, besides a bogey at the 15th to complete the inner round at one-under-35. If played with the same consistency on final day (Sunday), Akram is looking hot favourite for the main trophy.

Iqbal with a wide lead of four strokes to the leader went down to the second position as he produced a card of one-under-71 (35+36) which made his two-day total of seven-under-137 (66+71). Iqbal had very short story as he made only two birdies and one bogey. He made birdies at the 3rd and the 18th and had a stroke lost at the 13th.

At the third position, Shafique Masih (Lahore Gymkhana) and Abbas Ali (Wapda) with two-day aggregate of five-under-139, each were contesting jointly.

Shafique, a young but experienced golfer, earned the best card of the day when he fired six-under-66. That remarkably brought Shafique up from the seventh slot to the third. Shafique got a card of one-over-73 on first day. However, he has to done lot more on final day (Sunday) in order to challenge the sole leader. Shafique played with a bit concentration and earned six birdies, three each on the outer and the inner rounds. He birdied at the 1st, 3rd, 9th, 12th, 13th and the 14th while having no bogey.

In the amateur gross section, Javed Akhtar from Nowshehra (76+74) and Sardar A Murad Khan of Lahore Gymkhana (76+74) were contesting for the top slot with two-day aggregate of six-over- 150.

Two strokes away at 152, Muhammad Safdar (Lahore Gymkhana) and Muhammad Zafar (Gujranwala) were also bracketed for the second position.

In the net section, Major Shahid Imtiaz, a 12 handicapper from Okara, was leading with two-day aggregate of eight-under- 136.

At 139, Danyal Aziz (9) and Saleem Raza (8) were struggling at the second position followed by Wing Com. Tariq Balouch (12) who had the two-day total of 142.

Jameela Jabbar (Garrison) with two-day aggregate of 165 (81+84) won the ladies gross event. Shahzadi Gulfam (Police) with 181 score got the runnes up position.

Laurence Lee from China who is a 36-handicapper won the ladies net event with aggregate of 142 (70+72).

Rabab Haider (19 handicapper) got the second position with two day score of 146 (76+70).

Akbar Ali (Sui Gas) with two-day total of 146 (73+73 won the Senior professional event. At 151, Shoukat Ali and Muhammad Shafique both from Railways got the second position.

Second round scores: