RAWALPINDI: Seasoned player Mohammad Shabbir of Islamabad won the Pakistan Open Golf Championship which concluded here at the Rawalpindi Golf Club on Sunday.

The 47th edition of the championship came to an eventful conclusion after four rounds (72 holes) of combat as Shabbir showed ample intensity and sparkle to bag the national title.

He was the man of eminence at the closing 18th hole on the final day, and was virtuous enough to embrace his 21-year-old opponent Ahmed Baig of the PAF Skyview Golf Club, complimenting him for ending up the event as runner-up.

The scores in the four rounds achieved by Shabbir were 71, 72, 73 and a remarkable 67 in the final round, giving him the aggregate score of 283, five under par.

Ahmed registered 70, 70, 76 and a 70 in the four rounds, aggregating 286, two under par.

The third position was secured by Mohammad Munir of the Rawalpindi Golf Club. His scores were 77, 71, 70 and 69, aggregate 287, one under par.

Shabbir’s tee shots in the final round were forceful and precise.

And that made putting uncomplicated and fetched him eight birdies on holes 1, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 17. To make him look human, the bogies were also there, encountered on holes 4, 7 and the final hole of the championship,the par 4, 18th.

Ahmed put up a spirited fight in pursuit of victory. At the end of nine holes he was level with Shabbir before the latter cruised ahead.

Ahmed came up with exceptional play on holes 15 and 16 that brought him welcome birdies.

A slight deficiency of luck cost him a birdie on the 17th and then a chance of ultimate victory completely faded.

The comment from the winner was heartening. “Young Ahmed possesses all the traits of a champion and though I have won, I feel sorry for my young rival and hope this experience will add to his maturity and bring rewards and dividends for him in future,” Shabbir said.

The prize money for the Pakistan Open was Rs5 million. Winner earned Rs570,000, runner-up Rs371,250, third-position achiever Rs232,500 while the remaining 47 achievers also collected prizes according to an approved format.

Multan’s Abdul Wadood was declared the best junior professional of the championship, Faizan Ali of Lahore Garrison was second and Ishfaq Ahmed of Multan third.

The best amateur of the championship was Muhammad Umer Khokhar, his scores for the four rounds being 76,70,72 and 74 (aggregate 292).

Second gross prize in amateur category was won by Salman Jehangir of Lahore Gymkhana; his scores were 76, 78, 74 and 71 (aggregate 299).

Results:

Senior professional category:

1 Nisar Hussain (PAF), 2 Zulfiqar Ali (Multan), 3 Mohammad Akram (Gymkhana), 4 Raja Iftikhar Hussain (Rawalpindi)

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020