KARACHI, April 27: Mohammad Nazir of Islamabad leaped four places to attain top slot in the pros event of the 42nd Pakistan Open Golf Championship at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club on Saturday.

Nazir, posted a card of three under 69 in the third round for a total of five under 211 to earn a two-stroke lead on the penultimate day in the 72 holes event.

Munir, the overnight leader, was pushed to fourth place three strokes behind after he shot a poor four over 76. His first two rounds scores were 68 and 70.

Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Garrison and Imran Ali Khan of the DHA share the second place two strokes away from Nazir.

Holder Shabbir Iqbal played a par third round to finish the day with three over 219.

Despite carding three over 75, Ghazanfar Mahmood of Rawalpindi, meanwhile, enjoy top position in the amateurs. He leads the pack by three shots.

The dismal run of defending champion Ali Hai continued as he shot seven over 79 for a total of 238.

The 36 holes senior pros event also commenced on Saturday.

Leader board after third day: Pros: 211 – Mohammad Nazir (Islamabad) 70, 72, 69 213 – Matloob Ahmed (Lahore Garrison) 67, 72, 74; Imran Ali Khan (DHA) 73, 70, 70 214 – Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) 68, 70, 76 216 – Imdad Hussain (Lahore Garrison) 73, 70, 73; Talib Hussain (Islamabad) 72, 73, 71; Ansar Mehmood (Margala Green Golf Club) 70, 75, 71

Amateurs: 224 – Ghazanfar Mahmood (Rawalpindi) 73, 76, 75 227 – Zulfiqar Ali (Multan) 74, 77, 76; Mubariz Ahmed (Margala Green Golf Club) 76, 74, 77 228 – Waseem Rana (DHA) 76, 73, 79

Senior pros: 73 – M. Ilyas (Gymkhana); Mehmood Kiyani (Islamabad) 74 – Hasan Akbar (KGC) 75 – Asghar Ali (Gymkhana); Iftikhar Ahmed (Gymkhana)