KARACHI: Country’s top golfer Shabbir Iqbal opened the New Year on impressive note when he won the 54-hole Bank Al Habib’s fourth Rashid D. Habib memorial national golf tournament at Karachi Golf Club on Sunday.

Shabbir, who started third round five strokes behind the overnight leader Adil Jehangir, staged a surprise comeback by carding the best round of 67, five under par, to tie with Waheed Baloch at three round aggregate of seven under 209. The latter fired four under 68 on the final day.

A replay ensued between Shabbir and Waheed on the last hole which the former won by making a par.

Matloob Ahmed seized third place a stroke behind at 210, six under par.

Overnight leader Adil could not maintain his consistency and by posting a card of two over 74, slipped to fourth place at 211, five under par.

Commander Karachi and Karachi Golf Club president vice admiral Arifullah Hussaini, who graced the occasion, gave away the prizes. Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Bank Al Habib, Abbas D. Habib, was also present on the occasion. The event carried Rs3.38 million in prize money.

Top finishers after third round:

209 — Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad) 73, 69, 67; Waheed Baloch (KGC) 72, 69, 68.

210 — Matloob Ahmed (LGC) 73, 65, 72.

211 — Adil Jehangir (Gymkhana) 70, 67, 74.

214 — Taj Nabi (KGC) 72, 73, 69, Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) 71, 74, 69, Sajjad Khan (Islamabad) 73, 68, 73.

216 — Ahmed Shahid Murtaza Javed (RPG) 73, 74, 69, Afsar Ali (KGC) 75, 72, 69, Mohammad Tahir (Gymkhana) 76, 71, 69, Mohammad Tariq (Islamabad) 75, 70, 71, Ahmed Saeed (KGC) 71, 73, 72.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2015

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