Ashfaq sizzles with day’s best card, Shabbir in lead

KARACHI: Golf ace Shabbir Iqbal, who surged to the top after the second round, shot two under 70 to maintain his lead in the 22nd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Open Golf Championship at the picturesque Karachi Golf Club on Saturday.

The 43-year-old golfer, who is eagerly looking to complete hat-trick of titles after having already won the Sindh Open and Independence Day Cup Open, had garnered 10 under 206 and seized a two shot lead over local golfer Mohammad Ashfaq.

Ashfaq, who was placed third, six shots off the pace at two under 142 when the play resumed, fired best card of the day of six under 66 to succeed the duo of Waheed Baloch and defending champion Matloob Ahmed.

Ashfaq had three round aggregate of eight under 208 having carded 72 and 70 in the first and second rounds.

At six under 210 is Matloob, who slid to third place after third round of 69, three under par.

Though Shabbir enjoys a slender lead after penultimate round, the close scores suggest that the title is open and whosoever among the top contenders avail chances can win the Rs 7 million contest.

Defending champion M. Sharif leads the pack in the amateurs category by three shots over Sajid Khan.

Sharif had a three round aggregate of 220, four over, with scores being 74, 74, 72.

Sajid has amassed 223, seven over par, after carding 74, 74, 75 over the last three days.

Earlier, the amateurs second round was completed after seven flights resumed the play on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, Javed Inayat annexed the senior pros title by one shot over holder Imdad Hussain.

Javed returned with two round scores of four under 140 — 67, 73 — while Imdad finished with three under 141 — 69, 72.

The junior pros title went to Zeeshan Khan who was home by eight shots over Minhaj Maqsood.

Zeeshan had shot 72 and 73 for a total of 145, one over par, while Minhaj carded nine under 153 — 78 and 75.

Curtain falls on the event on Sunday. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah will grace the occasion.

Leader board after third round:

Pros:

206 — Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad) 72, 64, 70