KARACHI: Ace golfer and overnight leader Waseem Rana maintained his lead as Sri Lanka won the President J. R. Jayewardene team match trophy in the 56th National Amateur Golf Championship of Pakistan at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club on Friday.

Waseem of the SGA, who succeeded first round leader Ashiq Hussain after second round, played par round to seize four shot lead over the local duo of Saim Shazli and Zohaib Asif.

Talented Saim, who gave an eye-catching performance carding six under 66 in the second round, shot one over 73 to share the second place at 219, three over, on the leader board with Zohaib, who shot one under 71.

One stoke away at 220 is Ghazanfar Mahmood who had a par round on the penultimate day.

Visiting Sri Lanka, meanwhile, annexed the President J. R. Jayewardene team match trophy beating hosts Pakistan in the playoff as both were tied at 151.

The Pakistan Golf Federation secretary retired Brig Nayyar Afzal won the seniors title by one shot with a three round scores of 233 (80, 71, 82).

Lt Col Raja Asif Mehdi finished runner-up a stroke away at 234 the scores being 72, 83, 79.

The quartet of Zohaib Asif, Waseem Rana, Mansoor Teli and Saim Shazli did the SGA proud by capturing Inter-team trophy.

Defending champion Ghazala Yasmeen shot four over 76 to leap to the top in the ladies event pushing overnight leader Aania Farooq to second place.

Aania, who scored 74 to dominate the first round, shot a poor 80 in the second round to trail by two shots.

The premier golfing event concludes on Sunday.

Leaderboard after third round:

Amateurs:

215 – Waseem Rana (SGA) 73, 70, 72

219 – Saim Shazli (SGA) 80, 66, 73; Zohaib Asif (SGA) 73, 75, 71

220 – Ghazanfar Mehmood (Pak A) 74, 74, 72

222 – Ashiq Hussain (PGA) 70, 79, 73

223 – Robin Bagh (PGA) 76, 74, 73

Seniors:

233 – Retired Brig Nayyar Afzal (PGF) 80, 71, 82

234 – Lt Col Raja Asif Mehdi (LGGC) 72, 83, 79

Inter-team:

647 – (SGA) 220, 211, 216 Zohaib Asif 73, 75, 71; Waseem Rana 73, 70, 72; Mansoor Teli 74, 84, 84; Saim Shazli 80, 66, 73.

682 – (FGA) 233, 225, 224 Ghazanfar Mahmood 74, 74, 72; Zubair Hussain 77, 75, 84; Raja Israr 82, 76, 73; Yasir Khokhar 85, 82, 79.

Jayewardene trophy:

151 – Sajeewa Kumara 75; Amarapadma 76

151 – Ghazanfar Mahmood (Pak A) 72; Ahmed Baig (Pak B) 79

Ladies:

152 – Ghazala Yasmeen (LGGC) 76, 76

154 – Aania Farooq (Airmen Golf Club) 74, 80

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2017