Munir cards 68 to keep Shabbir under pressure

KARACHI: Over the years, one of the greatest rivalries on the national golf circuit has featured two professionals from Islamabad — Shabbir Iqbal and Muhammad Munir.

That rivalry was revived on Saturday here at the picturesque Defence Authority Country and Golf Club when Munir produced a stunning show on a windy day to close the gap on Shabbir in the penultimate round of the UBL 9th Independence Day Cup Open Golf Championship.

While Shabbir, who carded a stunning round of seven-under par 65 on the opening day, faltered in the second round with a card of 74, Munir catapulted himself into a position from where he can take a shot at the title by playing the best round of the day.

Munir was unable to impress much on the opening day as he scored 73 but on Saturday he was in his element as he made three birdies and an eagle to finish with four-under par 68. His birdies came on holes 1,3 and 15 while the eagle was made on the par-5 12th.

Munir now has an aggregate of 141, two shots off the pace and he can now challenge Shabbir for the coveted title in the final round on Sunday (today).

Shabbir has an aggregate of 139 (-5) after playing a forgettable round of two-over par 74. He had two bogeys on holes 1 and 18.

Placed one shot behind Munir in the third spot was defending champion Matloob Ahmed who followed his first round card of 70 with a par round of 72. KGC’s Shehbaz Masih was in fourth place followed by overnight leader Ansar Mehmood, who slumped to fifth place after a disastrous 79 in the second round.

In the amateurs’ category, Ghazanfar Mehmood returned with a card of 77 but was still leading by two shots. His aggregate over 36 holes is 150. Trailing him in the second place is local title hope Zohaib Asif, who carded 78 in the second round. DHA’s Abdullah Nasir is in third place.

The three-day championship offering a prize basket of Rs2.5 million will conclude on Sunday (today).

Results after second round (professionals)

139: Shabbir Iqbal (65-74)

141: Muhummad Munir (73-68)

142: Matloob Ahmed (70-72)

143: Shahbaz Masih (71-72)

144: Ansar Mehmood (65-79)

145: M Qasim, M Sohail, Shafiq Masih

146: Moazzam Siddique, Ashar Masih, M Khalid

147: M Ashfaq

Results (amateurs):

150: Ghazanfar Mehmood (73-77)

152: Zohaib Asif (74-78)

153: Abdullah Nasir (75-78)

154: M Rehman (80-74)

155: Ashiq Hussain (79-76).