KARACHI: A familiar name is finally atop the leaderboard at the Sindh Governor’s Cup Golf Championship.

Little-known Minhaj Maqsood had been top of the pile in the opening two rounds at the DHA Golf Club but in the third, Pakistan’s top golfer Shabbir Iqbal came to the fore.

Shabbir struck seven birdies in a five-under 67 to move to a total of 10-under 206 for a one-stroke lead over Minhaj who could only manage a 72.

Three strokes further adrift were Shabbir’s historic rivals Matloob Ahmed (71) and Waheed Baloch (69) while Mohammad Shahzad’s 68 took him to 211.

Three golfers are at 212 including Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Nazir and Shahid Javed Khan who all matched Shabbir in carding a 67 in the third round.

Another three golfers are a stroke behind: Akber Mehroz (68), Mohammad Imran (70), and Mohammad Zubair (71).

Khalid Khan fired the day’s best of 66 but is on 214 alongside four other golfers including Pakistan’s rising golf star Ahmed Baig (72).

Another of Shabbir’s long-time rivals, Mohammad Munir is seemingly out of contention after his 72 saw him finish the third round 11 strokes behind the leader.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2021