LAHORE, April 23: It was a competitive opening day for professionals in the 7th Faysal Bank Open golf championship at the Lahore Gymkhana, as 19 came out with under par cards on Friday.

Seasoned golfers Muhammad Siddiq and Abbas Ali (Wapda) not only led the day but they also equalled the eight-year old course's record of 65 set by Ghulam Nabi.

Siddiq showed consistency and played his strokes with great concentration, specially at the greens and completed the first and back nine with three-under-par each. Abbas, however, was erratic while coming back, otherwise, he could have been the sole first day leader.

Completing the first nine holes commendably atsix-under-31, Abbas finished the back nine only one-under-34. The defending champion Muhammad Munir was following the leaders with a difference of only a stroke.

Munir did the first nine at four-under-33 and the back at two-under-33. A close contest among four contenders put them all in third position. Matloob Ahmad (Gymkhana), Muhammad Zubair (Islamabad), Insar Mehmood (Islamabad) and Amjad Yousaf (Karachi) were all bracketed at four-under-68.

In the amateur sections, Tariq Mehmood (Islamabad) was the sole leader after posting a card of two-under-70. Shafiq and Mohammad Safdar, both from Gymkhana were occupying the second position at one-under-71.

Adil Jehangir, also of Gymkhana was at the third with one- over-73. Scores. Professionals: