Golf: Nazir clinches maiden professional title

Islamabad golfer wins Habib golf event after birdie on last shot.

KARACHI: Mohammad Nazir fired a birdie on the last shot to clinch the second Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament by one stroke at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) yesterday.

The Islamabad golfer, who was third at the end of second round, made a comeback, firing three-under-par 69 to accumulate a gross of 210 to win his maiden trophy at the national level.

“I was confident till the end and finally the last shot sealed my victory,” the 32-year old told The Express Tribune after winning the event.

Nazir said the title gave him the courage to start preparing for international tournaments.

“I started as a ball boy and then became a caddie. This is my first major title and now I believe I am ready to play at international level. The government should come forward and support golfers for participation in international competitions.”

Meanwhile, DHA’s Imran Ali Khan stood second after returning with a card of 210.

Waheed Baloch slipped to third spot with a total of 213 after a dip in performance on the final day that saw him returning with a card of one-over-par 73.

Another Islamabad golfer Talib Hussain – who was leading the table before the final day – ended on the fourth spot jointly with Aurangzeb Khan, Adil Jehangir and Ansar Mehmood with a total of 214.

However, Matloob Ahmed finished at a disappointing 14th with 218 after being pinned as one of the favourites in the absence of experienced Shabbir Iqbal and Mohammad Munir.

Afsar receives grand prize for hole-in-one

Meanwhile, Karachi-based golfer Afsar Ali – who stood 12th – received the special prize of a car worth Rs 1.8 million for firing a hole-in-one on the first day of the tournament.

“I feel very lucky,” said Afsar. “This is a huge reward and it will boost my confidence in future.”

Meanwhile, Shahzad Billa won the KGC Caddies event while Ghani Khan claimed the senior professional event which went on the sidelines of the main competition.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2013.