Shabbir retains Sindh Open Golf title

KARACHI: Pakistan’s prolific golfer Shabbir Iqbal once again lived up to the billing when he defended the title of the 18th Sindh Open Golf Championship which concluded here at the picturesque Arabian Sea Country Club on Sunday.

Despite having a weak third round, in which he carded one over-par 73 on the final day, he won with an aggregate score of 202. He had carded a rare 10 under-par 62 and 5 under-par 67 in the previous two rounds of the 54-hole slots.

“I always enjoy playing here at the Arabian Sea Country Club. It gets the best of out of me,” Shabbir told reporters after his title victory.

“In golf some day you are on top of your game because of good combination of driving, chipping and putting. Today I struggled. But thanks to my previous smart rounds I won the event which is fine,” the 42-year-old pro said.

“I have carded 11-under on a few occasions but 10-under is my best effort here,” Shabbir added. This is the second successive title for the seasoned campaigner. He annexed the Independence Day Cup crown at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club recently.

Shahid Javed Khan of Rawalpindi Gymkhana, Talat Ijaz of Lahore Gymkhana and Mohammad Munir of Islamabad were the join runners-up with an identical score of 208. Matloob Ahmed and Shafiq Maseeh followed with an aggregate score of 209.

Zeeshan Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the junior professionals crown by carding 151. Nasir Masih of Lahore Gymkhana finished as the runner-up with 154, while Malik Sadiq of Karachi Golf Club (KGC) secured the third position with a total of 154.

Imdad Hussain of Lahore Garrison Club (LGC) annexed the senior professionals title with an aggregate score of 136 after two brilliant rounds of 67 and 69. Mohammad Akram of Lahore Gymkhana finished second with a tally of 139 and Manzoor Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana ended third with 145.

Chief Executive ASCC Arif Abbasi, President Sindh Golf Association, Asad I A Khan, Secretary Ashraf Khan Ghori, Managing Director Yamaha, Ito Yasushi, and Chief Sales Officer Athar Abbas attended the closing ceremony.

Shabbir was handed over a glittering trophy and a purse of Rs332,100 by Imran Dogar of Coca Cola. Munir, Shahid and Talat shared a purse of Rs158,000.Four motorbikes of Yamha 125 CC were presented to winners of all four categories by Yasushi. Leader-board: Professionals: 202 -  Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad) 62, 67, 73; 208 - Shahid Javed Khan (PRG)  68, 66, 74; Talat Ijaz (LGYM) 69, 67, 72; Muhammad Munir (Islamabad) 69, 69, 70; 209 - Matloob Ahmed (LGYM) 71, 68, 70, Shafiq Masih (LGYM) 72, 68, 69; 210-Waheed Baloch (KGC) 69, 67, 74; 213 -  Khalid Khan (KP) 70, 69, 69, Daniyal Jehangir (LGYM); 214 -  Rehmatullah (DHA) 75, 67, 72, Jafzal Hussain (LGYM) 74, 69, 71.

Senior professionals: 136 - Imdad Hussain (LGC) 67, 69; 139 - M Akram (LGYM) 67, 72; 145 - Manzoor Ahmed (LGYM) 67, 78.

Junior professionals: 151 - Zeeshan Khan (KP) 76, 75, 154; Nasir Masih (LGYM) 77, 77, 154; Malik Sadiq (KGC) 78, 76, 154; Usman Ali (LGGC) 78, 77

156 - Rashid Iqbal (ASCC) 77, 79.