March 18, 2006	Saturday	Safar 17, 1427

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LAHORE, March 17: Four contenders were tied at the top with identical score of two-under-par-70 on first day of the All Pakistan Open golf championship at the Lahore Gymkhana course on Friday.

The foursome are Imdad Hussain, Matloob Ahmed, Shahid Javaid Khan and Yasayya Habib. Imdad and Matloob played similar round as they had five birdies and three bogeys each.

Shahid, who had four birdies was unlucky on the 9th hole, where he did a double bogey, otherwise, he could have been the leader of the day.

Yasayya showed consistency, having three birdies and only one bogey. One stroke behind to the leaders are Ansar Mehmood, Waheed Baloch and M.Sajid.

At 72, four players were bracketed at the third spot including Abbas Ali, Akhtar Ali, M.Munir and Talib Hussain. Shafique Masih, the defending champion had a disappointed round as he carded two-over-par-74.

Wasim Rana leads the amateurs with a score of 73 .

Leading scores:

Professionals:

70- Imdad Hussain, Matloob Ahmad, Shahid Javed, Yasayya Habib.

71- Ansar Mehmood, Waheed Baloch, M Sajid.

72- Abbas Ali, Akhtar Ali, M.Munir, Talib Hussain.

Amateurs:

73-Waseem Rana.

75-M Safdar.

76- Daniyal Jehangir.