KARACHI: Ahmed Baig has been on the cusp of winning the CNS Open Golf Championship on several occasions in the past. This time, this year, however, he closed it out.

Amid a light drizzle here at the Karachi Golf Course on Sunday, Ahmed finally won his maiden CNS Open title, holding onto a lead he established after the second round and eventually sauntering to a comfortable three-stroke victory.

In doing so, he denied Pakistan number one Shabbir Iqbal a fourth straight title. Shabbir had edged Ahmed by a stroke in 2021 and 2023 but this time he couldn’t reel in his younger adversary.

Having done the hard yards in the previous round, a one-over 73 in the final round was enough for Ahmed as he finished on 12-under 276 overall.

Shabbir returned an even-par 72 to finish as runner-up on 279, one ahead of first-round leader Mohammad Alam (73). Mohammad Munir (74) finished a distant fourth at 284, with Waheed Baloch (73) a stroke behind in fifth.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2024