Shabbir leads the pack in golf event

Finish­es openin­g day of Pakist­an Open with a 69.

KARACHI: Shabbir Iqbal finished top of the pack after the opening day of the Pakistan Open Golf Championship at the Defence Authority Country Club Golf Course.

The country’s ace golfer from Islamabad played three under par to finish the day on 69, closely followed by his long-time opponent Mohammad Munir who returned with a card of 70. Shabbir, who suffered stroke losses on three holes, maintained his calm and collected six birdies, supplemented by nine regulation pars to finish top on the day.

“I enjoyed the opening day and am looking for improved accuracy to extend my lead on the second day,” said Shabbir.

Lahore’s Matloob Ahmed sits third with an aggregate of 71 while Shahid Javed Khan, Talib Hussain and Ansar Mehmood sit joint fourth with a card of 72.

Out of 90 professional golfers, 25 competitors still stand a chance of clinching the title, promising exciting development on the second day.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2011.