KARACHI, Aug 18: On day two of the 9th Sindh Open Golf Championship being held at the Arabian Sea Country Club on Saturday, Pakistan’s golfing genius Shabbir Iqbal jumped into a one stroke lead against opening day leader, Afzal Mohsin.

Shabbir of Pakistan Navy, after playing two-under-par 70 in the first round, played one-under-par 71 to bring his score to 141. He masterly encountered strong winds to make three birdies to emerge as the new leader in the Rs500,000 competition.

After having pocketed the lucrative Chief of Naval Staff Golfing Championship, Shabbir is almost set to complete the double if he maintains his consistency on the deciding third and final day on Sunday.

Afzal, who was successful in grabbing the attention of the top golfers of the country on Friday after his spectacular show on the day when he played four-under-par 68 in difficult conditions to end with an aggregate of 140, leads by one stroke against Shabbir Iqbal.

The day’s best performance came from Amjad Yousuf of the Karachi Golf Club (KGC), who made six birdies in three-under-par rounds of 69.

Shahid Javed Khan played a par-72 round to occupy the third position with an aggregate of 143. Defending champion Muhammad Munir from Islamabad was in good nick, making an eagle on hole four and three birdies. With a total of 145, he tied at the fourth spot with Amjad Yousuf.

Ghani Khan of KGC gained an advantage in Seniors professionals with a fine second round of three-under-par 69 to finish day two with 146.

Two strokes behind him was Manzoor Ahmed from the Lahore Gymkhana, after rounds of 72-76, and Muhammad Shafique was placed third with 151.

Muhammad Ali Hai despite a poor round of seven-over-par 79, maintained his lead with a score of 149.

Close at his heals with a single stroke difference was the budding young golfer Ayaz Gul, after rounds of 74-76, followed by Amjad Rahim at 153 and Sajid Khan a further stroke behind.