Shabbir retains Sindh Open Golf Championship title

KARACHI: In a dramatic comeback, Pakistan’s top golfer Shabbir Iqbal maintained his ascendancy when he retained his title in the Rs3 million 19th Sindh Open Golf Championship which came to an end at its home — the Arabian Sea Country Club’s — picturesque course on Sunday.

Shabbir, who was tied in the fourth place with M. Alam at five under 139, three shots off the pace after the second round, resurrected with a fabulous seven under 65 to post an incredible three shots victory over Mohammad Safdar.

His three rounds aggregate comes to 12 under 204 — 71, 68, 65.

Playing articulately, he scored eight birdies on holes 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 17 and 18 besides a bogey on the 12th hole to prove “when there’s a will, there’s a way.”

At one stage, both Safdar and Munir caught up the champion but collapsed.

Safdar, meanwhile, shot two under 70 to finish runner-up with nine under 207 — 69, 68, 70. He was followed by Munir’s sibling Nazir who returned with six under 210 — 69, 68, 73.

Overnight leader Munir had to be content with fourth place together with Matloob Ahmed and M. Zubair at five under 211.

Munir could not maintain his pace and played poor posting three over 75 in the third round.

Ghazanfar emerges new amateur champion

Meanwhile, overnight leader Ghazanfar Mahmood proved his acumen when he won the amateurs gross title in convincing fashion by 10 shots.

He accumulated five under 211 — 68, 71, 72 — in the three rounds to win top honours.

M. Ziaraf finished runner-up with a score of five over 221.

Experts believe that Mahmood’s five under victory is probably one of the best amateurs score in an open championship.

Defending champion M. Rehman finished third with six over 222.

The president of the Sindh Golf Association (SGA) Asad I. A. Khan annexed the seniors amateur title his two rounds scores being 81, 83.

The senior pros title went to Iftikhar Ahmed who carded three under 141 — 72, 69.

Shaukat Ali of the Lahore Gymkhana clinched the maiden title of the super senior category for pros introduced for the first time by the SHA for over 65 years golfers. Akbar Ali finished runner-up.

As many as 12 seniors took part in the competition.

Shabbir received a winning purse of Rs3, 35, 580 and a trophy from the chief guest Taufiq H. Chinoy, chairman of the Jubilee General Insurance at the prize distribution ceremony amidst applause.

Also present on the occasion were Tahir Ahmed, Arif Ali Khan Abbasi, Imran Jamil Khan, retired Lt. Col Zahid Iqbal, retired Brig Tariq Rafiq, Group Capt Ahmed Farooq and Arshad Khan Ghouri.

Top finishers:

Pros:

204 — Shabbir iqbal (Islamabad) 71, 68, 65

207 — Mohammad Safdar (Gujranwala) 69, 68, 70

210 — M. Nazir (Islamabad) 69, 68, 73

211 — Matloob Ahmed (Lahore Gymkhana) 69, 69, 73; M. Zubair (Islamabad) 70, 71, 70; M. Munir (islamabad) 71, 65, 75

212 — M. Alam (Defence Raya Golf Club) 71, 68, 73

213 — Shahid Javed Khan (Lahore Gymkhana) 71, 69, 73; M. Khalid (DHA) 70, 74, 69

214 — M. Amir (KGC) 73, 71, 70; M. Siddiq (Faisalabad) 71, 72, 71; Ahmed Saeed (KGC) 73, 71, 70

Senior pros:

141 — Iftikhar Ahmed (Lahore Gymkhana) 72, 69

142 — Abdul Jabbar (Garrison) 70, 72; M. Akram (Gymkhana) 70, 72; Imdad Hussain (Garrison) 74, 68