May 12, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1424

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RAWALPINDI, May 11: Muhammad Tariq of PTCL on Sunday clinched the professional crown in the Prime Minister of Pakistan Gold Medal Championship at the Rawalpindi Golf Club, his overnight lead of two strokes over Shabbir Iqbal proving decisive.

Tariq, who scooped up a purse of Rs 60,000 for his efforts, and Shabbir of Navy, had an identical round of par 72 but the champion’s opening day’s score of five under par 67 helped him take the top honours.

“I could not putt well today and it was my first day’s round that certainly helped me win the title,” Tariq said.

Tariq finished with an aggregate of 213 over three days while Shabbir had an overall score of 213 in the 54 hole competition. Shabbir took home Rs 40,000 for being runners-up while third placed Muhammad Sajid of PTV, who had an eagle on the sixth for his score of four under 68 had to be content with Rs 23,000.

Vaqas Ahmed of the Rawalpindi Golf Club emerged as the top amateur winning the Prime Minister Gold Medal with a net score of six under par 210. He followed up his rounds of the first two days (69-73) by carding four under par 68 for the day.

The silver medal in the net tournament went to another golfer of the host club, Muhammad Ali, a 16 handicapper who had a score of 214. The bronze was won by Omer Imtiaz.

Vaqas meanwhile also won the gross event with a score of six under par 210 but having captured the net event also, the top prize was awarded to Lahore Gymkhana’s Shahid Javed Khan who was three under 213. Islamabad Club’s Tariq Mahmood was second (222) and Aadil Jahangir, another Gymkhana golfer finished third, scoring 225.

In the ladies category, Ahn Sook Hyung of Islamabad Club annexed the Prime Minister Gold Medal on count back after ending up tied with Rubab Haider of the local club with scores of 140. Mumtaz Kayani from Lahore Gymkhana took third place.

Jamila Jabbar of Lahore Garrison Club was the top golfer in the gross category with a score of 168 while Tahira Nazir (172) was runner-up with Mehvish Javed (174) taking third position.