05 October 2004	Tuesday	19 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Oct 4: Pakistan gave a stunning performance against defending champions India to take an impressive five and a half points lead on the opening day of the fourth India-Pakistan golf championship for Kirloskar Trophy at the Lahore Gymkhana course on Monday.

Hosts Dr Aimal Zaman-Vaqas Ahmed and Shahid Javed Khan-Tariq Mehmood earned full two points. Aimal and Vaqas were three up against Vikrant Chopra and Jaideep Patwardan at the 16th to grab one point.

Pakistan duo led from start and were three-up at the 11th hole. From there on, both teams finished equally at each hole, till the 16th. Shahid and Tariq, however, struggled to beat Jaskirat S. Dullet and Amarbir Singh at the 16th with three-up lead.

Shahid and Tariq secured 1-0 lead completing the first hole with one birdie while the Indians managed a par. But the visitors made it 1-1 by winning the 2nd hole with a birdie while Pakistan finished at par.

The Indian pair took 2-1 lead by winning the 3rd hole. Pakistan hit back to level 2-2 at the 5th after both teams carded pars at the 4th. At the 5th hole Pakistan posted a par but the Indian had a bogie.

From the 6th, the home team went ahead gradually and were three-up by the 11th. Afterwards both the teams played equally before the match ended at the 16th and Pakistan earned one more point.

Pakistan gained one and half point from the 40-50 Age Group competition. Fakhar Imam-Mehmood Aziz defeated the Indian pair of Ranjit S Atwal-Sanjeev Mehra to add one point. Fakhar and Mehmood succeeded in finishing the match at the 9th where they were leading 7-2. But Saud Khan- Asif Mehdi drew against Amit Luthra-Ashit Luthra as both teams got half point, each. The competition continued till the final 18th hole and both teams were tied at 9-all.

In the above 50 years Age Group category, Pakistan obtained two more points to complete the tally. Taimur Hassan and Shaban Alam defeated Madhu Sudhan Misra-Dr V.T Date after taking two-up lead at the 17th to win one point.

Shoaib Bokhari and Shafiq Bhatti contributed one point to Pakistan when they defeated Ashok Malik and Gangesh Khattan. The competition is being played on the format of the Ryder Cup and the teams will play on second day on foursome basis.

RESULTS:

Pakistan 5 1/2 points. India half point.

PAKISTAN: Dr Aimal Zaman, Vaqas Ahmed, Shahid Javed Khan, Tariq Mehmood (two points).

INDIA: Vikrant Chopra, Jaideep Patwardan, Jaskirat S Dullet, Amarbir Singh (one and half points).

Above 40-50 years Age Group.

PAKISTAN: Fakhar Imam, Mehmood Aziz, Saud Khan, Asif Mehdi (One and half point).

INDIA: Ranjit S Atwal, Sanjeev Mehra, Amit luthra, Ashit Luthra (half point).

Above 50 years Age Group.

PAKISTAN: Taimur Hassan, Shaban Alam, Shoaib Bokhari, Shafique Bhatti (two points).

INDIA: Madhu Sudhan Misra, Dr V.T Date, Ashok S Malik, Gangesh Khattan (zero point).