ISLAMABAD, March 25: Shabbir Iqbal emerged the leader in the professional category on Saturday gaining a three-stroke advantage in the Prime Minister Gold Medal Championship at the Rawalpindi Golf Club.

The Islamabad Club golfer finished the day with a two-day aggregate of 141 while there was a three-way tie for second spot between Imdad Hussain (Lahore Garrison Club), Sajjad Khan (Islamabad Club) and Muhammad Arif (DHA Club Karachi).

The trio had scores of 144 each and were being followed closely by Shahid Javed of Royal Palm Club Lahore and Gymkhana’s Matloob Ahmed, who were a stroke adrift on 145 each.

Umar Farooq Khan of the host club maintained his lead in the amateurs net competition with a net score of 143.

In the event, on the basis of which the main trophy will be decided, Brig. Ijaz Ahad of the Rawalpindi Golf Club moved into second place with net 144.

Yasir Khokhar from PAF Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s Haider Attiq were tied with scores of 145 each.

On the amateurs gross side, Islamabad’s Tariq Mahmood was in front with a score of 148 while Waseem Rana of DHA Golf Club Karachi was a stroke behind on 149. Brig Ijaz Ahad, who carded 154 gross finished third for the day.

In the ladies net event which began on Saturday, Faakeha Ahmareen of Karachi was ahead with a net score of 70 but there was a tie for second place as Mehreen Raheel, Ami Qin and Tahira Nazir all stood level on 74 net.

Tahira however was in the lead in the gross category with 81 and Faakeha was a stroke behind on 82 followed by Mehreen in third spot with 89 gross.

Sunday is the last day of the championship and handsome cash prizes are up for grabs in the professionals category.

The Rawalpindi Golf Club will also be staging the President of Pakistan Cup next month and the CJCSC Open in May.