KARACHI: Former national champion Hamza Amin of Islamabad shot a brilliant 67, five under par, to lead the pack of 99 golfers after first round in the UMA 19th Chief of the Naval Staff Open Golf Championship at the lush green course of Karachi Golf Club on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Hamza excelled with six birdies and 11 pars besides a bogey to seize one stroke lead in presence of many seasoned golfers.

Placed second at 68 is Mohammad Safdar Khan of Garrison, who shot five birdies and 12 pars.

Three players — Naseer Khan (Peshawar), defending champion Waheed Baloch (KGC) and Imran Ali Khan (DHA) — are tied in third place at a score of 70, two under par.

At one under par 71 are former champion Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) and Talat Ijaz (Gymkhana).

Another celebrated golfer and former champion Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal played a par round and bracketed with seven other players.

There’s a three-way tie for top slot in amateurs between Omar Shikoh (KGC), Taimur Khan (Peshawar) and Capt Ansar Mahmood (KGC) who carded three over 75.

The trio of Zohaib Asif, Waseem Rana and Sajid Khan having good track records, remained unimpressive in first round posting a card of 80 apiece. Another promising player Mubariz Ahmed shot 84.

Veteran Sindh Golf Association (SGA) official Asad I. A. Khan was the oldest participant in the competition and defied blistering heat to finish with 87.

Meanwhile, according to officials, a number of players including former champion Ali Hai, were compelled to quit due to unbearable heat.

Leading scorers after first round

Pros:

67 — Hamza Amin (Islamabad)

68 — Mohammad Safdar Khan (Garrison)

70 — Naseer Khan (Peshawar), Waheed Baloch (KGC), Imran Ali Khan (DHA)

71 — Mohammad Munir (Islamabad), Talat Ijaz (Gymkhana)

72 — Taj Nabi (KGC), M. Saeed (Royal Palm Golf Club), Misal Khan (DHA), Mohammad Zubair (Islamabad), Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad), M. Khurshid (Islamabad), Lateef Rafiq (Gymkhana), Shakir Khokhar (DHA).

Amateurs:

75 — Omar Shikoh Khan (KGC), Taimur Khan (Peshawar), Capt Ansar Mahmood (KGC)

76 — Siddique (KGC), Mohammad Rehman (Royal Palm Golf Club), Mohsin Zafar (Royal Palm Golf Club), Zulfiqar Ali (Multan Golf Club)

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2014