KARACHI, April 25: Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Garrison shot a steady round of five under par 67 to emerge first day leader in the 42nd Pakistan Open Golf Championship which teed off at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club on Thursday.On his heels a stroke behind in Mohammad Munir of Islamabad who also had an equally good round of four under 68.

There’s a three-way tie for the third place between Mohammad Nazir, Ansar Mahmood and Sajid Khan who all carded two under par 70.

Hamza Amin, a former national amateur champion who has turned pro sometimes back, fired one under par 71 and share the position with Mohammad Siddiq, Mohammad Zubair and Zulfiqar Ali.

But the biggest disappointment came from defending champion Shabbir Iqbal who played one over 73 to trail on the leader board.

Meanwhile, Ghazanfar Mahmood of Rawalpindi and Sajid Khan of Arabian Sea Country Club shared top slot after opening day by carding one over 73 and lead by a stroke in the amateurs category which is run concurrently.

Like Shabbir, holder Ali Hai was also unimpressive in the first round playing five over 77.

Cut will be applied in the two categories after completion of second round.

The 36-holes senior pros tees off on Saturday.

Pros:

Leader board after first round:

67 — Matloob Ahmed (Lahore Garrison) 68 — Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) 70 — Mohammad Nazir (Islamabad); Ansar Mahmood (Margala Green Golf Club); Sajid Khan (Islamabad) 71 — Hamza Amin (Islamabad); Mohammad Siddiq (Faisalabad Golf Club); Mohammad Zubair (Islamabad); Zulfiqar Ali (DHA) Amateurs: 73 — Ghazanfar Mahmood (Rawalpindi); Sajid Khan (ASCC) 74 — Zulfiqar Ali (Multan) 76 — Mubariz Ahmed (Islamabad); Waseem Rana (DHA) 77— Ali Hai (KGC); Ejaz Hussain Qureshi (Rawalpindi)