Shabbir cruising towards golf title

Remains four strokes ahead going into final day of Pakistan Open.

KARACHI:

Shabbir Iqbal remains in pole position to lift the 41st Pakistan Open Golf Championship at the DHA Country Club, Karachi, after a 71 on the third day of the event, an aggregate of 210 going into the final day today.

Iqbal, with ideal weather aiding playing conditions, leads his nearest challenger Matloob Ahmed by four strokes, while stiff competition provided by Muhammad Munir faded as he could only manage a round of 77 yesterday, pushing him down to fourth.

Matloob ended the day with 71 and looks the only contender to give Iqbal a tough time on the final day of the event. Adil Jehangir returned with a card of 68 on the day but sits third with an aggregate of 216.

In the seniors category, Asghar Ali of Lahore Gymkhana finished top with a 72 after the completion of 18 holes. Ghani Khan from Karachi Gymkhana is sitting four strokes behind him.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2012.