KARACHI: Peshawar’s Taimur Khan caught the eye when he shot an immaculate seven under par 65 in the first round of the 17th Sindh Amateur Golf Championship which teed-off at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) on Friday.

Taimur of PAF, who is also a former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa champion, delighted the golfing fraternity with his all round performance which includes seven birdies in a bogey-free first round of the 54-hole event.

Unfortunately, he missed to equal the course record of 10 under 62 set by KGC”s Waheed Baloch two years back just by three strokes.

Son of a veteran pro Nisar Hussain, he had three birdies on the front nine on holes 2, 4, 5 and four on back nine on holes 11, 12, 14 and 18 to seize a five shot lead over M. Sharif of the West Wind Golf Club.

According to officials, there is likihood that Taimur may turn pro in the near future.

Rehman also had a spectacular bogey-free round of two under 70 which also includes two birdies.

At par 72, seven shots behind the leader is KGC’s Mansoor Teli.

Defending champion Zohaib Asif of the DHA is tied in the fourth place with Sajid Khan of the Arabian Sea Country Club at one over 73.

KGC secretary Cdr Majid Satti fired two over 74 so did M. Saqib of the Lahore Garrison.

At the outset, 46 players have registered but 33 turned up at the tee off in the amateurs.

The president of the Sindh Golf Association (SGA) Asad I. A. Khan, who is the moving spirit behind the promotion of the game in the city, emerged day one leader in the 36-hole seniors event carding brilliant one over 73.

He is closely followed by defending champion Omar Khan Bangash at four over 76.

At six over 78 are former KGC Captain Sohail Rana and Ahmed Jamil Siddiqui.

As many as 24 seniors submitted their cards at tee off in the morning.

According to officials, 13 ladies have registered while 32 veteran’s will vie for honours in 18 hole contest, nine on Saturday and nine on Sunday.

Leaderboard after first round:

65 — Taimur Khan (Peshawar)

70 — M. Sharif (West Wind Golf Club)

72 — Mansoor Teli (KGC)

73 — Zohaib Asif (DHA), Sajid Khan (ASCC)

74 — Cdr Majid Satti (KGC), M. Saqib (Lahore Garrison Golf Club)

75 — Qazi Amir Hussain (DHA), M. Rehman (Royal Palm Golf Club)

76 — Saim Shazli (KGC), Waqas Burki (KGC)

77 — Ahmed Baig (Lahore Garrison Golf Club), Ashiq Hussain

78 — M. Naveed (West Wind Golf Club)

79 — Arsalan Sheikoh Khan (KGC)

Seniors:

73 — Asad I. A. Khan (KGC)

76 — Omar Khan Bangash (KGC)

78 — Sohail Rana (KGC), Ahmed Jamil Siddiqui

79 — Retired Capt Azher Iqbal (KGC)

80 — Col Mansoor Akram (DHA)

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2017