12 October 2004	Tuesday	26 Shaban 1425

LAHORE, Oct 11: Favourite Shahid Javed Khan retained his title winning the 44th amateur golf championship of Pakistan with an impressive four-day aggregate seven-under-par-281 at the Lahore Gymkhana course on Monday.

Shahid, who led the event from day one, posted a card of one-under-71 (34,37) on the final day to emphasise his superiority. Shahid, who played a key role in Pakistan's victory in the international team championship and Jayawardene Trophy which was part of this event, started the day with a slim lead of one stroke against compatriot Dr Aimal Zaman but had increased it to three strokes, despite playing sluggishly at the back nine holes.

He completed the first round at three-under-par-34, having three birdies and one bogey. However, he did not fare well at the back nine and carded it without a birdie, but two bogeys.

Aimal faced tough opposition from Indian Vikrant Chopra till the last hole before retaining second spot with an aggregate of four-under-284. In fact, the fourth day had the attraction of close fight between Aimal and Vikrant.

Aimal started the day with an impressive lead of seven stroke against Vikrant. But the visitor produced the best card of the day of five-under-67. At the end of the 17th hole, Aimal's lead had been reduced to only one stroke and he had no chance for any error at the par-3's 18th hole.

Aimal must have passed through some tense moments when he had a two feet putt ahead to complete the hole at par. Vikrant, who had an easy half foot putt ahead, was seeing Aimal with a hope for any error, but he was disappointed as the Pakistani was right on target to retain his second place.

Aimal gave a chance to Vikrant to catch up with him when he played poorly at the 9th hole. He hit the hole with two consecutive birdies at the 7th and 8th but he had a double-bogey at the next after hitting the ball into the water bunker. Coming back, Aimal lost two more strokes against one birdie.

Vikrant was impressive from the start of the day. He had grabbed birdies at the 1st and the 2nd hole. But he lost a stroke at the 4th hole and then had a double-bogey at the next. However, he recovered with three birdies at the 6th, 7th and the 9th to complete the outward journey at two-under-35.

At back nine, Vikrant registered two birdies and an eagle at the 16th before losing a stroke at the 17th to finish his stay in Pakistan with good memories of the day. At 287, Tissa Chandardasa of Sri Lanka secured fourth position.

Mohsin Anwar of Lahore Gymkhana won the net event with an aggregate of 313 followed by Tahir Mahmood (GWA) who had 315. Shruti Khanna of India stole the show winning the ladies' gross title with three-day aggregate of 230.

Shruti played outstandingly on first day posting a card of par-72. But on last day she was not impressive as she finished it at 14-under-86. But even the Pakistan's Jamila Jabbar conceded a 20-stroke lead to Shruti to bag second spot.

RESULTS:

Individual men (gross):

281- Shahid Javed Khan (Pakistan) 67,71,72,71.

284- Aimal Zaman (Pakistan) 69,74,68,73.

285- Vikrant Chopra (India) 70, 73,75,67.

287- Tissa Chandardasa (Sri Lanka) 72,72,71,72.

295- Amarbir Singh (India) 70,73,75,77.

296- Muhammad Hussain (Bangladesh) 74,78,73,71; Vaqas Ahmed (Pakistan) 73,76,76,71.

297-Jaskirat S Dullet (India) 71,81,74,71.

298- M Milon (Bangladesh) 71,79,73,75.

Net:

313- Mohsin Anwar (Lahore Gymkhana) 85,81,86,85.

315- Tahir Mehmood (GWA) 88,91,86,86.

Ladies' individual (gross):

230- Shruti Khanna (India) 72,72,86.

250- Jamila Jabbar (Pakistan) 83,82,85.

Net:

215- Ellen Wang (Railways) 95,94,95.

290- Sameea Javaid (Lahore Gymkhana) 101,91,98.