ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana sank an eagle to go with six birdies to tie with Ansar Mehmood of Pakistan Navy for the top spot amongst professionals on the opening day of President of Pakistan Gold Medal Golf Championship at Islamabad Golf Club on Friday.

Both Matloob and Ansar finished the first 18 holes of the 54-hole professionals’ category with seven-under 65 each, taking three-strokes lead over a pack of three golfers who returned cards of four-under each.

Matloob hit an eagle on the sixth hole and birdied six other holes while Ansar Mehmood had five birdies to his credit.

Another Pakistan Navy golfer Shabbir Iqbal and two Islamabad professionals Mohammad Nazir and Mohammad Akhter were all tied on four-under 68 each with three, seven and five birdies respectively.

The title trophy will be awarded on scores in the amateurs net category in which Ejaz Hussain Qureshi emerged as the first day leader with six-under 66, getting four stroke advantage over three others with 70 each. They were Tariq Mehmood, Qaiser Hassan and Taimur Hassan.

Hamza Ali Haroon was third with 71, studded with four birdies. Ejaz Hussain Qureshi and Taimur Hassan both had six birdies each.

A cut of top 40 plus ties will be imposed each in professionals and amateurs categories over the remaining two days because of less daylight hours and large number of entries, said the Secretary of Islamabad Golf Club, Shahab H. Hashmi.

The categories of ladies, senior amateurs and senior professionals will commence on Saturday. —APP