KARACHI: Seasoned golfer and defending champion Matloob Ahmed shot a spectacular four under par 70 in the first round to lead the pack of pros as the UMA 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Open Golf Championship teed off at the Karachi Golf Club on Thursday.

Ahmed, the two-time winner of the title, who finished runner-up with M. Munir in the preceding ninth UBL Independenc Day Cup Open Golf Championship at the DHA, had five birdies on red 3, and blue 1, 2, 4 and 5 besides bogeying at red 6 to dominate the day.

Two shots off the leader at two under 70 is M. Munir. He is follow ed by Daniyal Jehangir at one under 71.

With the Sindh Open and Independence Day Open under his belt, prolific Shabbir Iqbal, who is on course for making a clean sweep of the Karachi-leg of the PGF circuit, is tied at the fourth position with Mohammad Ashfaq and Azher Hussain at par 72.

Meanwhile, holder M. Sharif, Sajid Khan and Ashiq Hussain carded two over 74 to share top place at the leader board in the amateurs category.

The trio is followed by Omar Shikoh and Ahmed Baig at three over 75.

Leader board after first round:

Pros:

68 — Matloob Ahmed (Lahore Garrison)

70 — M. Munir (Islamabad)

71 — Daniyal Jehangir (Lahore Gymkhana)

72 — Mohammad Ashfaq (Airmen Golf Club); Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad); Azher Hussain (Margalla Greens)

Amateurs:

74 — M. Sharif (West Wind Golf Club); Sajid Khan (Arabian Sea Country Club); Ashiq Hussain (Multan Golf Club).

75 — Omar Shikoh (KGC); Ahmed Baig (Lahore Garrison).

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2017