JA Zaman Golf Championship: Iqbal impresses with five-under-par
Defending champion says win in DHA championship has improved his rhythm.
PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Holder Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal of Islamabad pulled off an excellent round with a superb five-under-par 67 on the opening day of the third JA Zaman Memorial Open Golf Championship at the historic par-72 Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course on Friday.
The defending champion struck birdies on the fifth, sixth, seventh, 11th, 15th and 17th holes, but suffered a bogey on hole 13. Hot on his heels is Talib Hussain of Islamabad, just a stroke behind the leader with a four-under-par 68.
“I have got my rhythm back after the last DHA All-Pakistan Open Golf Championship in Karachi; the win there with strong winds has given me a lot of confidence,” Iqbal told The Express Tribune. “Playing here is a lot easier, but still [there are] two more rounds to go. The young players are playing really well, the game is changing. We have to increase our efforts to stay ahead.”
DHA Golf Open: Amin hits seven birdies to fly highest
Of other professionals, eight more managed an under-par score, including Shahid Javed Khan in third with his two-under-par 70, while Daniyal Jehangir, Muhammad Rizwan, Shafiq Masih, Sunny John, Muhammad Khurshid and Muhammad Afzal all are at one-under-par 71.
Meanwhile, in the race for dominance amongst amateurs, Fakhar Imam of Defence Raya Golf and Country Club leads with a gross score of par 72.
Following him is Robin Bagh, one stroke behind at one-over-par, while Sardar Murad scored a two-over-par.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2016.
Holder Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal of Islamabad pulled off an excellent round with a superb five-under-par 67 on the opening day of the third JA Zaman Memorial Open Golf Championship at the historic par-72 Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course on Friday.
The defending champion struck birdies on the fifth, sixth, seventh, 11th, 15th and 17th holes, but suffered a bogey on hole 13. Hot on his heels is Talib Hussain of Islamabad, just a stroke behind the leader with a four-under-par 68.
“I have got my rhythm back after the last DHA All-Pakistan Open Golf Championship in Karachi; the win there with strong winds has given me a lot of confidence,” Iqbal told The Express Tribune. “Playing here is a lot easier, but still [there are] two more rounds to go. The young players are playing really well, the game is changing. We have to increase our efforts to stay ahead.”
DHA Golf Open: Amin hits seven birdies to fly highest
Of other professionals, eight more managed an under-par score, including Shahid Javed Khan in third with his two-under-par 70, while Daniyal Jehangir, Muhammad Rizwan, Shafiq Masih, Sunny John, Muhammad Khurshid and Muhammad Afzal all are at one-under-par 71.
Meanwhile, in the race for dominance amongst amateurs, Fakhar Imam of Defence Raya Golf and Country Club leads with a gross score of par 72.
Following him is Robin Bagh, one stroke behind at one-over-par, while Sardar Murad scored a two-over-par.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2016.