LAHORE, Sept 19: Both the joint first day leaders Matloob Ahmad and Muhammad Asif gave yet another fine performance to end the second day of Sayid Paper Open Golf Championship with identical score of 143 at Raya Golf Course here on Wednesday.

Both entered the cards of 72 each. However, Matloob could have end the day as sole leader had he not played a bogie on the 18th hole to be tied up with Asif.

On the second day Matloob had a round of par 72, comprising five birdies, five neutralizing bogies and eight pars. As for Asif, he carded a round of 72 with three birdies, three bogies and twelve pars. However, the battle is on and the final day promises fireworks.

The young star Shafiq Masih did not improve on his first day’s score and the stroke losses in the second round were just too frequent and the tilt between bogies and birdies not doing him good.

Two birdies, three bogies and 13 pars gave him an 18-hole score of 73 and an aggregate score of 145, two strokes behind the leaders. An energetic player that he is, Shafiq promises a great round on the final day. “I am getting ready for the MENA golf tour in Dubai,” Shafiq said. “I want to give a memorable performance here to boost my confidence for the five matches in MENA Tour in the UAE.”

Also lying at 145 is Zulfiqar Ali of DHA with two rounds scores of 75 and 70. Out of the other top contenders, Shahid Javed Khan of Royal Palm showed tremendous ability and as compared to his first round score of a rather modest 78, he carded an excellent score of 69, three under par on first day.

Shahid has climbed up rapidly and lies fourth on the leaderboard with a two-day aggregate of 147. And he is likely to pose a threat to the top three on the final day.

Another youngster, who displayed fine game in the second round was Aadil Jehangir with a score of 70, two under par. That elevates him amongst the top ten on the leaderboard.