LAHORE: Mohammad Shabbbir from Islamabad with two-day aggregate of 144 emerged as leader in the Punjab Open Golf championships at the Raya Defence Course here on Saturday.

Shabbir, who was the joint leader on first day with Mohammad Tariq, once again showed his amazing control and emerged as the top contender, going into the final phase of the event.

Shabbir entered a card of par-72 with his similar score of Friday to take lead with the nearest challenger being Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Garrison, who was placed two strokes behind the leader at a two rounds aggregate of 146 compiled through a gross 73 in the first round and again a 73 in the second round.

Matloob earned second place but has experience on his side plus superb playing abilities to curb Shabbir in the final round on Sunday. “I accept this challenge and I am determined to prove that Shabbir is not unbeatable. But at the same time I have to show courage and excellent application of my skills,” said Matloob.

The other notable contenders are Sunny Masih of Gymkhana , Zulfiqar Ali of Karachi and Shahid Javed Khan of Royal Palm. All of them impressed with their shot making and looked determined to put up a decent fight for honor in the final round.

Sunny Masih was placed at 147, three strokes behind the leader while Zulfiqar Ali and Shahid Javed Khan managed to aggregate 150.

There was a cut after the second round as a result of which 44 professional players stood eliminated. Only the best 44 professionals will play on the final day on Sunday.

In the amateurs event, Ghazanfar Mehmood of Bahria Town Golf Club led the gross section with a score of gross 149 for two days, compiled through a gross 73 on the first day and 76 on the second day. His nearest challengers are Wazir Ali (Gymkhana) and Tariq Mehmood (Islamabad), both placed at a score of 155.

Published in Dawn December 21th , 2014