August 07, 2006	Monday	Rajab 11, 1427

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KARACHI, Aug 6: Ansar Mehmood of Navy overcame a one stroke deficit and untimely rain to beat defending champion Shabbir Iqbal by three strokes to become the new champion in the Open event of the 11th CNS Golf Championship at the Karachi Golf Club on Sunday.

Ansar carded two under par 70 in the third and last round for an aggregate 10 under par 206 to win his maiden CNS golf crown. He scored five birdies on 1, 2, 4, 13 and 15 a double bogey on 7th and a bogey on 18.

Defending champion Shabbir Iqbal who was a stroke ahead at the end of penultimate round fired two over par 74 to finish runners up with a total of seven under par 209.

Shabbir was not impressive on front nine as he squandered his advantage with three successive bogeys on 7, 8 and 9 holes in addition to one on 11.

Ansar took home Rs164,825 while Shabbir got richer by Rs112,100. Prize money of Rs 1 million was distributed among top 30 finishers of Open event.

“It’s one of the best performance of my career and am proud for winning top honours,” Ansar told Dawn.

Ansar said he took a one stroke lead after nine holes and then never looked back until finish.

KGC’s Abrar Ahmed won the amateur gross crown with a total score of nine over par 225. Tariq Mahmood had to be content with second position.

Humayun Karamat, also of KGC, captured the amateur net title with 204 net. Ali Khanzada finished runners up.

Veteran Haroon Khaloon claimed seniors 18 holes gross title with CNS Admiral Mohammad Afzal Tahir occupying second slot.

Col (retd) Mudassar Asghar won the seniors net event while Group Capt Aftab A. Khan secured second place.

Leading scorers of Open

206- Ansar Mehmood 68, 68, 70

209- Shabbir Iqbal 68, 67, 74

214- Mohammad Munir 73, 71, 70; Nadeem Inayat 71, 68, 75

215- Shahid Javed Khan 75, 68, 72

216- Imdad Hussain 70, 73, 73; Waheed Balouch 71, 71, 74; Afsar Ali 71, 70, 75.