Shabbir scoops CJCSC Trophy, earns Rs1.4m prize money

ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal rallied back to earn one of the highest winner’s prize money on offer in the 14th CJCSC Open Golf here at the Margalla Greens Friday.

Undisputed Pakistan No 1 golfer Shabbir following a low-key opening round where he carded a score of par 71, fought back brilliantly on the next two days, getting five under 66 on Thursday, and played another excellent round of two under 69 on Friday --the final round to lift the coveted trophy as well as around Rs1.4 million winner cheque.

On Friday, his round of 69 included six birdies and four bogies as he got two under on the 71 Par Margalla Greens. “I took time to settle down as such my first round was not so impressive.

Once I settled down going into the second round on Thursday, I felt at ease on fairways and when it came to putting on greens. Once I carded 66 in the second round, I was sure of making it to the top,” Shabbir said while talking to The News.

Ultimately Shabbir took a stroke lead to finish the three rounds with an aggregate score of 206, leaving former amateur turn professional Ahmad Baig in second place.

Ahmad started the tournament well with a first round of three under 68, then slipped away with par and one under on the next two days to end up at 209 on aggregate. First-round leader Ansar Mehmood finished the tournament with a stroke behind.

He carded five under on the opening day and then followed it up with a score of two over 73 and then a last round of par 71 to finish at No 3. Muhammad Naeem and Muhammad Munir finished the three rounds with one under 212 each over three rounds.

Mohammad Akram won the two-day senior professional title with an aggregate score of three over 145 followed by Muhammad Naseer who finished with five over 147 on a 71-par course. The amateur and ladies’ event will start tomorrow (Sunday).