Sindh Open tees off with a stiff clash

Defending champion Shabbir Iqbal faced tough competition on the opening day of the Sindh Open Golf that saw three golfers sharing first place with him after the first round at the Arabian Sea Country Club (ASCC).

Islamabad’s Iqbal, the pre-tournament favourite led the first round along with arch-rival, Muhammad Munir, Matloob Ahmed and Chinar Gul as all the four golfers ended the day with a card of 67. They managed five under par in the first round, despite the sudden change in weather.

Talib Hussain of Islamabad and Pakistan Air Force’s Nisar Hussain held a joint-second place with scores of 69 in the Rs1 million professional event.

Meanwhile, Shaukat Ali fired a three under par and returned with a card of 69 to occupy top place in the senior professional event, followed by Ghani Khan who scored 70.

Although ASCC’s Sajid Khan and Suffian Dhaduk secured joint first place in the amateurs event with score of 70, many of the 14 contestants failed to turn up due to heavy rain, to join the second round.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2010.