Rashid Habib Memorial: Iqbal still on top on day three, en route title

Defending champion hits three under-par on Saturday, cumulates gross total of nine under-par

KARACHI: Pakistan’s national golfer Shabbir Iqbal maintained his lead on day three of the Bank AL Habib’s 7th Rashid D Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Championship with a gross total of nine under-par (207), as he struck three under-par on Saturday at Karachi Golf Club.

Iqbal, on day three, struck five birdies but also hit two bogies on sixth and 15th holes to end with three under-par (69).

Following Iqbal are Muhammad Munir from Islamabad alongside Amjad Yousuf of Karachi Golf Club with a gross total of six under-par (210). Lahore Garrison Golf’s Matloob Ahmed is close with his five under-par (211).

The top-scorer on the third day was Safdar Khan of Gujranwala who shot an eagle on hole six, with five birdies and three bogies to end with four under-par (68) and is at fifth position with a gross total of two under-par (214).

Pakistan’s number four golfer Waheed Baloch of Karachi Golf Club played two under-par (70) on third day and is at 12th position with par score (216).

The leader in the senior professional category is Ghani Khan from Karachi, who played five under-par (67), while Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar and Mehmood Kiani are following him with one under-par (71).

Meanwhile, Kashif Masih topped the board in the junior category.

A total of 46 professional golfers will compete in the final round today. Also, Bank Al Habib’s 1300cc car is still waiting for the lucky hole-in-one winner.