Pakistan lift JR Jayewardene Trophy

Qasim, Salman help hosts outplay Sri Lanka in team event on day one of National Amateur Golf

KARACHI:

Pakistan clinched the JR Jayewardene Trophy after beating Sri Lanka on the first day of the 62nd National Golf Amateur Championship at Lahore Gymkhana on Wednesday.

Qasim Ali Khan and Salman Jehangir represented hosts Pakistan in the 18-hole event, where they outplayed their Sri Lankan counterparts.

The Pakistan Golf Federation (PFG) had also invited golfers from Bangladesh and Nepal, but they could not make it. However, one golfer from Egypt made his way to the tournament.

“The golfers from Bangladesh and Nepal had confirmed their participation, and there were no issues from our end,” a PGF official told The Express Tribune.

“They couldn't participate because of their own internal issues. But we have Egypt’s Deen Ali with us to compete here.”

The official added that the international players returned to Pakistan after a long time.

The Jayewardene Trophy began as a bilateral event between Pakistan and Sri Lanka during the time of President Zia-ul-Haq. 

Events in Amateurs, Seniors, International Team Match, and Inter-Association Team Match also took place on the opening day.

M Shoaib and Nouman Ilyas were both leading with a total of 71 after the first round of 18 holes. Salman, who also played the Jayewardene Trophy match, followed them on 72 points, and was tied in second place with Ralfe Aslam Raja. Usama Nadeem finished the day in third place with 73 points. A total of 80 golfers are participating in the Amateurs' event, which will run till April 29.

The Seniors' event is featuring 54 golfers. Sardar Murad was at the top place with 74 points after the first round. Rashid Akbar and Col Waqar occupied the second and third place, respectively.

The ladies’ event will begin from April 27. The ladies will play in the team event, comprising two teams from the hosts, Pakistan A and Pakistan B, and a two-member side from Qatar.