PESHAWAR, April 23: Shabbir Iqbal created new Pakistan golf record by playing 11-under-par 61 on the opening day of the 15th Bank Al-Falah Frontier Open golf at PAF Golf Course on Saturday. Shabbir broke Imdad Hussain’s record of nine-under- par 63. Imdad had created the record in 1996 during the First Corps Commander Invitation Open.

Shabbir carded 10 birdies and an eagle on number nine. In front nine, he carded 28, eight-under par, with seven birdies and played par at fourth and fifth. In back nine, he scored three-under-par with birdies at 12, 15, and 16 and 18. It was only at 17th where Shabbir missed an easy put.

Shabbir was followed by Mohammad Nazir of Islamabad Golf Club with 67, five-under-par, with 32 at front nine and 36 at back nine. He played five birdies and missed a stroke at 15th.

Shahid Javed, Ansar Mehmood, Shafiq Masih were trailing at third with 69, while Mohammad Ilyas, Matloob Ahmad, Ghulam Hussain, Abbas Ali, Mohammad Akram followed with 71 each. Mohammad Sajid, Tahir Nasim made 72 and Munir carded 73 in professionals.

In amateurs, two handicappers Safdar Gul of Gujranwala Golf Club with gross 72 was leading followed by Pakistan team member Adil Jehangir (72), Amjad Jamshed (74), Bilal-ur-Rehman (74), Arbab Usman (76) and Ibrahim Asad (76).