Shabbir reigns supreme once again
Scores seven-under-par (65) on last day, 12-under-par (204) overall to defend title
PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Shabbir Iqbal once again showed everyone why he is the is number one golfer of Pakistan as he scored seven-under-par (65) on the final day to defend his title of Sindh Open Golf Championship at Arabian Sea Country and Golf Club.
Iqbal, who didn’t start the tournament on a good note, was trailing against other contenders on day one with his score of one-under-par (71). He made amends on day two with a score of four-under-par (68), but still couldn’t make it into the top three and was tied with Muhammad Alam.
However, the eventual champion made a dramatic comeback on the final day and struck eight birdies and a bogey to score seven-under-par (65) to accumulate an aggregate of 12-under-par (204) to bag a three-shot victory over Muhammad Safdar.
Shabbir was followed by Safdar on the leader board with a score of nine-under-par (207) with his three day score of 69, 68 and 70. Muhammad Munir, meanwhile, bagged third position with a six-under-par (210) score.
“It feels great to win like this,” Shabbir told The Express Tribune. “I had a bad start when everyone was scoring three and four-under-par, and I was not able to score much, but then on the second day I got a hold of the game and scored a few birdies which boosted my confidence. I was keen to defend my title.”
He then praised his opponents for putting up a good show. “On the final day both Munir and Safdar gave me a tough time but I kept my focus in order to win,” he said. “It is all about focus; one bad shot and you fall behind. So it’s a great victory for me.”
Shabbir Iqbal once again showed everyone why he is the is number one golfer of Pakistan as he scored seven-under-par (65) on the final day to defend his title of Sindh Open Golf Championship at Arabian Sea Country and Golf Club.
Iqbal, who didn’t start the tournament on a good note, was trailing against other contenders on day one with his score of one-under-par (71). He made amends on day two with a score of four-under-par (68), but still couldn’t make it into the top three and was tied with Muhammad Alam.
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However, the eventual champion made a dramatic comeback on the final day and struck eight birdies and a bogey to score seven-under-par (65) to accumulate an aggregate of 12-under-par (204) to bag a three-shot victory over Muhammad Safdar.
Shabbir was followed by Safdar on the leader board with a score of nine-under-par (207) with his three day score of 69, 68 and 70. Muhammad Munir, meanwhile, bagged third position with a six-under-par (210) score.
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“It feels great to win like this,” Shabbir told The Express Tribune. “I had a bad start when everyone was scoring three and four-under-par, and I was not able to score much, but then on the second day I got a hold of the game and scored a few birdies which boosted my confidence. I was keen to defend my title.”
He then praised his opponents for putting up a good show. “On the final day both Munir and Safdar gave me a tough time but I kept my focus in order to win,” he said. “It is all about focus; one bad shot and you fall behind. So it’s a great victory for me.”