KARACHI: In the face of a sublime Shabbir Iqbal, no one really stood a chance.

Not Waheed Baloch, who’d led since the opening round. Not Ahmed Baig nor Matloob Ahmed, who both hauled themselves somewhat into contention. But it still looks a mountain to climb for them.

On Saturday’s showing, it looks increasingly unlikely that Pakistan number one Shabbir could be denied a second straight title at the Pakistan Open Golf Championship in Sunday’s final round at the Karachi Golf Club.

He was so impeccable, so flawless. A bogey-free third round of eight-under 63 featuring eight birdies saw Shabbir reach 13-under 200, six clear of Ahmed (68) and seven ahead of long-time rival Matloob. Waheed, who started the day two shots clear, finds himself nine adrift after a disastrous 74.

Two weeks ago at the KGC, Waheed denied Shabbar a successful title defence at the Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament when he prevailed in a thrilling two-hole playoff. Then, Shabbir had made up a five-shot deficit to force a playoff. This time, it will be Waheed who will have to do the chasing.

After two rounds of playing in different flights, Saturday marked the first time they were together in the leader flight that teed off early in the morning.

Waheed’s lead was gone on the first hole when he bogeyed and Shabbir birdied. From then on, there was no stopping Shabbir. He fired birdies at will. The only surprise was when he missed one after a delightful tee shot to find the green on the par-three 13th. Nonetheless, a second title in two weeks beckons after he defended his Sindh Open title last week.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2022