LAHORE, Dec 13: Defending champion Matloob Ahmad along with Shafiq Masih dominated the first day of the third Quaid-i-Azam Open Golf Championship, which teed off at the Lahore Gymkhana on Friday.

Over first 18 holes, both Matloob and Shafiq were models of excellence, performing to perfection to post a fine card of four-under-par-68 each. They showed their potential in every aspect of the game in this 54-hole event as their power-packed hitting off the tees, accurate approach shots to the greens and total control of the putter were all treat to watch.

As regards details of Matloob’s round, he had birdies on holes one and seven and then three in a row on holes 15, 16 and 17. The regulation pars totalled 12 and just one bogie on the 10th hole.

Shafiq, who was Matloob’s partner on the leaderbaord, rolled in birdies on holes 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16 and 17 (seven in all) accompanied by eight pars and three bogies on holes 6, 9, and 13. And it would be right to add here that the bogies were the result of temporary loss of focus on the closing shots.

“The greens were just too good,” said Matloob after the round. “Gymkhana is virtually my home course and I really enjoy the competitive edge over others, when competing here,” he said.

Out of the other champions seeking lucrative prizes and honours, another one who looks quite good is Safdar Khan of Gujranwala Golf Club who scored gross 70, two under par. Safdar put up a fine display with four birdies on holes 11, 14, 15 and 16 and 13 pars.

At 71, four contenders are bracketed and they are M. Asif (Defence Raya), Shahid Haneef (Gymkhana), Asher Masih (Gymkhana) and M. Munir (Islamabad).

The top man of Pakistan’s golf arena, Shabbir Iqbal lags behind at a score of par 72 along with Sajjad Khan (Islamabad), Latif Rafiq (Gymkhana) and M.Akhter (Islamabad).

In the amateur section, the leader after 18 holes is M. Rehman of Royal Palm Golf Club. His gross score in the first round was 72. On his heels is Waleed Zubair (Gymkhana) at 74. Waleed put up an impressive performance and his driving off the tees was flawless.

Fakhar Imam of Defence Raya put up a performance which oscillates between average and excellent. His gross score of 75 does not adequately reflects how well he played. Out of the other amateurs Tariq Mehmood is placed at 75 and Sajid Khan at 76.

The second round promises an eventful clash between the top contenders.