LAHORE: Matloob Ahm­ad with a two-day aggregate 131, is the leader on the second day of the 38th Punjab Open Golf Championship’s professional event at the PAF Skyview Country Club Golf Course on Saturday.

Besides, Matloob (Lahore Garrison), other notable pr­of­­essional M. Sh­a­bbir (Islamabad) and the new find Jafal Hussain (Lahore Gymkhana) are close contenders for the top honours.

Overnight leader wasShabbir, while Matloob was only one stroke behind. And as proceedings gathered pace Matloob gradually through relentless excellence edged past the mighty Shabbir.

Matloob concluded the 18 holes with a score of gross 65, seven-under-par and aggregated a total of 131. As against these two is newcomer Jafal, who also emerges as a contender for title and his two-day score is 135 (68+67).

Another competitor, who oozed excellence was M. Asif, with aggregate of 138.

The ladies contested their first round, and Hamna Amjad of PAF Skyview and Aania Farooq of Airmen Golf Club, Karachi were prominent, showing adequate hitting control. Hamna managed an impressive round of gross 74 and Aania Farooq came up with a score of gross 76. Other ladies, who did well are Zahida Durrani (Garrison, 80 gross), Suneyah Osama (PAF Skyview, 87) and Shahanaz Moin also of PAF Skyview (88).

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2019