KARACHI: Pakistan’s top-ranked amateur golfer Omar Khalid stayed in contention to become the first player from his country to qualify for the match-play stage of the 74th US Junior Amateur Cham­pionship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort after carding an impressive round of 73.

Playing in extremely windy conditions in Oregon, Omar bounced back from a shaky start to finish his first round with a birdie on the par-5 18th on Tuesday. He is just one shot behind the projected cut after two rounds of stroke play event.

Omar’s compatriot Yashal Shah carded 75 at the par-71 Bandon Trails and remained with an outside chance of qualifying for the match play rounds.

A total of 264 top-ranked junior players from all over the world are featuring in the championship. The top 64 will qualify for the four-day match-play rounds of the championship. The winner of the championship will earn an exemption into the 2023 US Open to be played at the Los Angeles Cou­ntry Club. He will also earn an exemption into the next two US Amateurs.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2022