KARACHI: Prolific golfer Shabbir Iqbal not only retained his title in the 9th UBL Independence Day Cup Open Golf Championship but also made it two wins on the trot in the ongoing Karachi-leg of the circuit at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club (DAC&GC) on Sunday.

Shabbir, who started the day with a two-stroke lead, shot par 72 for a three round aggregate of five under 211 to win by five shots over the pair of Mohammad Munir and Matloob Ahmed.

This was Shabbir’s second title in two weeks, the first being the Sindh Open at the Arabian Sea Country Club in the preceding week. With back-to-back titles under his belt, he will have an edge over others in the 22nd CNS Open being held at Karachi Golf Club from Aug 17 to 21.

Munir and Matloob shared the second spot at par 216. The former carded three over 75 while the latter shot two over 74 in the third round.

At one over 217 in the third place was Shahbaz Masih who carded two over 74.

Meanwhile, Zohaib Asif staged a comeback from behind to topple overnight leader Ghazanfar Mahmood and retain the amateur’s title. His three round aggregate were 11 over 227 (74, 78, 75).

Mahmood finished two shots behind at 229, 13 over.

The senior pros title went to Imdad Hussain who defeated Javed Inayat in the playoff following a tie at two under par 70 in the 18-hole contest.

Nadeem Almas retained junior pros crown carding successive round of 76, 76.

Corps Commander Lt Gen Shahid Baig Mirza, who graced the finals, gave away the prizes. Shabbir received a winning purse of Rs288,800 and a glittering trophy from the chief guest amidst applause.

Also present on the occasion among others were administrator of the DHA Brig Shahid Hassan Ali, secretary DACGC retired Brig Tariq Rafique, president Sindh Golf Association (SGA) Asad I.A. Khan and secretary SGA retired Lt Col Zahid Iqbal.

Top finishers:

Pros:

211— Shabbir iqbal (Islamabad) 65, 74, 72.

216 — Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) 73, 68, 75; Matloob Ahmed (Garrison) 70, 72, 74.

217 — Shahbaz Masih (KGC) 71, 72, 74.

218 — Shafiq Masih (Gymkhana) 72, 73, 73.

Amateurs:

227 — Zohaib Asif (DHA) 74, 78, 75.

229 — Ghazanfar Mahmood (Bahria Golf Club) 73, 77, 79.

231 — Taimuir Khan (Peshawar) 79, 77, 75.

Junior pros:

152 — Nadeem Almas (DHA) 76, 76.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2017