LAHORE, Nov 28: Exhibiting strong nerves and fine skill in final stages, Nadeem Inayat of Karachi Club annexed the 37th Pakistan Open title with aggregate of five-under-par-205 , beating Imdad Hussain (Garrison) with a lead of six strokes, at the Royal Palm and Country Club on Sunday.

Nadeem, the second day leader with aggregate of 137, fired a card of two-under-par-68 when the play resumed on fourth day after abandoning the third day due to heavy fog, to win the title for the first time. It was third appearing of Nadeem in the domestic season this year.

Nadeem, 34, who had been settled in Thailand and coaching a club there, first appeared in Sindh Open to claim 8th position and then he was third in CNS golf championship in Karachi.

Nadeem, however, faced a close contest on final day from seasoned Imdad in first nine holes. Imdad was in deficit of two-strokes when the day started. The difference had been eliminated when Imdad completed the first nine holes at one-under-34 but

Nadeem at one-over-36 to be tied at 173,each. Imdad had two birdies and one bogey in first nine holes. But Nadeem having lone birdie at the 3rd hole, where Imdad had lost a stroke, made two bogeys at the 4th and the 5th to allow Imdad catch him.

In last nine holes, Imdad was erratic to finish the day with bad card of two-over-72 and with aggregate of one-over-211 while Nadeem proved his strong nerves and won the title and earned a cash prize of Rs 247,237.50.

Both were again neck and neck till the 12th hole at 185, each. But the turning point started from the 13th hole. Nadeem completed the par-3 13th, with a birdie while Imdad at par. The champion added one more birdie at the 14th to increase the lead to two-strokes.

Imdad made Nadeem's task further easy by having a double- bogey at the 15th to go four strokes behind. Nadeem further consolidated his lead to six strokes by adding one birdie, each at the 16th and the 17th. Nadeem and Imdad did the final 18th hole at par as the winner made the tally.

Imdad's sluggish play in the end, not only deprived him of main title but also allowed Mohammad Sajid (Rawalpindi) and Muhammad Munir (Islamabad) to share the second spot with aggregate of 211, each and they will divide the amount of Rs 115,615 equally.

Munir, who was three-strokes behind to Imdad was most impressive as he erased the difference when he brought a fine card of one-under-par-69. Three competitors - Amjad Yousaf Karachi), Muhammad Siddique Faisalabad) and Iftikhar Hussain Rawalpindi) - the latter was the first day leader, finished third with aggregate of three-over-213 each.

Waseem Rana (Sindh) won the amateurs gross event with four-day aggregate of 221. Samir Iftikhar was second at 225 while Dr Aimal Zaman finished third with 227. Samir, a three handicapper, won the net trophy with aggregate 216. Waseem was second at 218.

Punjab won the inter-association team event with aggregate of 692. Sindh claimed the second spot with aggregate 705. Iftikhar Ahmed won the senior professional event with aggregate 156.

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