October 28, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 15, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: Shabbir Iqbal of Pakistan Navy surged to a one-stroke edge among the professionals as Ijaz Hussain Qureshi maintained his lead among the amateurs on the second day of the President of Pakistan Gold Medal Golf Championship at the Islamabad Golf Club on Saturday.

Shabbir returned a two-round (36-hole) card of 12-under 132, one stroke ahead of fellow sailor Ansar Mahmood who finished with 133.

Matloob Ahmed aggregated 137 to trail on the third spot in the professionals’ category.

Both Shabbir and Ansar sank one eagle each during the second day’s 18 holes play but the latter had one birdie more (11) than the leader’s 10. The leader, Shabbir, hit 25 “pars” as compared to 23 by Ansar.

Matloob also had an eagle to his credit besides 10 birdies and 20 pars. The Lahore Gymkhana player is seen as a potential threat to the leader when play begins on the last 18 holes of the 54-hole professionals’ event on Sunday.

Mohammad Akhtar and Sajjad Khan, the two Islamabad professionals, were tied on 140 each, having 10 and seven birdies and 21 and 26 pars on the second round’s 18 holes.

The 54-hole amateurs’ net category will form the basis of awarding the title trophy and Ijaz still led the way with two round card of 137 with eight birdies and 18 pars.

Hamza Ali Haroon was trailing on the second spot with 140 coming with the help of seven birdies and 21 pars while Qaiser Hassan was third on 142 from two birdies and 24 pars.—APP