RAWALPINDI, May 9: Muhammad Tariq led the field of professionals with a score of five under par 67 on the opening day of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Gold Medal Open Championship at the Rawalpindi Golf Club.

A birdie blitz by the Islamabad Club golfer, three on the front nine and as many when coming back, put him three strokes ahead of Fida Hussain of Lahore and Rawalpindi’s Shahid Haleem, both of whom were tied for second place at two under par 70. In third spot were Muhammad Tahir and Muhammad Arif with a score of 71 on a day when as many as 65 professionals were in action.

Vaqas Ahmed of the host club was ahead in the amateur gross category with a round of three under par 69. Close on his heels, only a stroke behind, was the country’s top amateur Shahid Javed Khan.

Other key scorers in the amateur gross was third placed Tariq Ali (73) with Wasim Rana following him by carding gross 74.

Meanwhile in the amateur net competition, Vaqas and Tariq Ali shared the lead with a score of net 69 each. Occupying second position were Muhammad Babar Khokhar, Maj Haseeb and Ali Shahid with Shahid Javed Khan third at 71.