RAWALPINDI, Oct 24: Vaqas Ahmed of Rawalpindi Golf Club took an early lead in the President of Pakistan Cup Tournament on Friday carding gross two under par 70 on the opening day.

With a plus one handicap, Vaqas was also ahead in the net competition which is being played for the President Cup with a score of 71 while there was a three-way tie for second place. Rawalpindi’s Wng Cdr. Ehtesham, Maj Gen Askari Raza Malik and Peshawar’s Dr. Aimal Zaman all stood level on net scores of 72. The experienced Taimur Hasan trailed in third place with net 73.

Vaqas struck a birdie going out on the par 4 third hole and had another four that came in succession on holes 13, 14, 15 and 16. He bogeyed thrice on the par four first hole and again on the ninth and 10th.

In the gross event for the Attock Bowl, Taimur and Dr. Aimal were both locked in second place behind Vaqas with scores of one over par 73. M Waseem Rana and Adil Jahangir were joint third on four over par 76.

The competition for juniors that also began Friday saw Farrukh Piracha, having a handicap of 33, leading the field with net 57 followed by Rawalpindi’s Zohair Alam on net 64 and Zuhair Javed third with net 67.

Wamiq Shakeel, another local boy, carded eight over par 80, to edge ahead in the gross event followed closely by Haider Attiq on 81 and Zohair Alam on gross 84.

The two-day tournament for ladies to be played over 36 holes is to begin on Saturday which will also see the start of competitions for seniors and veterans.

AMATEURS NET SCORES: