March 31, 2003	Monday	Muharram 27, 1424

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LAHORE, March 30: Mohammad Munir won the Faysal Bank Open professional golf title by one stroke at Lahore Gymkhana course on Sunday.

Munir of Islamabad posted a par 72 on the final day, brushing aside the challenge from Mohammad Siddique (Faisalabad) and Tahir Nasim (Lahore Gymkhana) who finished as joint runners-up.

Munir, the overnight leader, increased three strokes each day with 67 on the first, 69 on second 72 on final day. Munir completed the first round at one-over-38 and saved a stroke in the second round (one-under-34). He carded birdies at the second, seventh, 11th, 15th and 16th. He bogied twice at fifth, 8th, 13th and the 17th.

On the final day, not only Siddique and Tahir improved their positions from third to second by entering a five-under-67 card each, but defending champion Matloob Ahmad, who finished fourth produced the best card of the championship, six-under-66 to get an aggregate of six-under-210 and was only a stroke behind the second slot.

Siddique completed the first journey at two-under-35 and the back at three-under-32. Siddique could have won the title of he had not earned a double bogey at 14th. He recorded seven birdies at the first, seventh, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th and the 16th.

Similarly, Tahir did first nine at one-under-34 and the back nine at two-under-33. He got off to a fine with an eagle on the second and then birdied at eighth, 15th and the 16th. He was on course to catch up Munir but faltered in the end when lost a stroke at 17th.

Matloob lost the title, but only after some excellent play on the final day as he posted the best card of the day with seven birdies, four on the front nine, at second, fourth, sixth, seventh and three on the back at 15th, 16th and 18th, while he had a bogey at third.

Imdad Hussain (Garrison) who was at the second spot on second day, played sluggishly, finishing with a poor card of four-over-76 and slumped to ninth position.

Shahid Javed Khan (Garrison), who led in the amateur section throughout, won the title with an aggregate of three-under-213. Shahid could not earn a big card on the final day as he finished with one-over-73.

He started the day with 10-stroke, but at ninth hole he lost three strokes after completing the eighth at par. He recovered and earned three birdies on 10th, 12th and the 13th before losing a stroke at 17th.

Shakeel Ahmad (Garrison) showed an improved performance and got the   second position with an aggregate of 223, despite tottering at the fourth on the second day. Shakeel’s fine play forced Safdar to third spot with aggregate of 226.

In the ladies section, Mrs Jamila Jabbar (Garrison), with two-day aggregate of 147, won the gross event followed by Mrs Tahir Nazir (Rawalpindi, 151). Mrs Nasreen Zubair (Gymkhana), having a total of 139, won the net event, while Mrs Bela Azam (Gymkhana) finished as runner-up.

Col Masoud Akhtar (retd) (Gymkhana) won the seniors net event, while Shahid Ikram Malik (Gymkhana) got the second place. In the gross section, Col Abdul Ghaffar (retd) got the first position, while Col Humayun Rashid (retd) secured the second spot.

Leading final scores (professionals):

208-Muhammad Munir 67, 69, 72

209- M Siddique 70, 72, 67; Tahir Nasim 71, 71, 67.

210- Matloob Ahmed 73, 71, 66.

213- Mohammad Arif 70, 72, 71; Abbas Ali 71, 72, 70.

214- Mohammad Akram 75, 73, 66; Shabbir Iqbal 73, 74, 67.

215- Imdad Hussain 71, 68, 76; Akhtar Ali 70, 73, 72; Mohammad Tariq 74, 72, 69.