Ashfaq fires 66 as Shabbir retains lead in UMA-CNS Open

By Khalid Hussain

August 20, 2017

KARACHI: Just when it seemed that Pakistan No.1 Shabbir Iqbal will walk away with the title, Karachi’s Muhammad Ashfaq added drama to the UMA 22nd Chief of Naval Staff Open Golf Championship by firing a spectacular round of 66 here at Karachi Golf Club on Saturday.

Ashfaq, known among his peers as Russi, had steady rounds of 72 and 70 on the first two days but he was in full flow in the penultimate round of the Rs7 million championship as he catapulted himself to second place on the leader-board.

Shabbir, the overnight leader after a stunning round of 64 on Friday, decided against taking any risks and played a round of two-under 70. With an aggregate of 206 (-10), Shabbir still has a two-shot lead going into Sunday’s final round.

But Ashfaq’s aggregate of 208 (-8) means that Shabbir isn’t in a safe zone. Ashfaq, who plays at Karachi’s relatively new Airmen Golf Club, made seven birdies in his round.

Placed on the third spot was defending champion Matloob Ahmed, who carded 69. He was followed by Ansar Mehmood who fired an excellent round of 67. Waheed Baloch, the local title hope, was in fifth place after scoring 73. He was followed by Muhammad Munir (71).

After two forgettable rounds, Islamabad’s Hamza Amin finally woke up and delivered his best showing in the event with a round of 67.

In the amateurs’ category, M. Sharif took a three-shot lead with a gross aggregate of 220 after playing a par round of 72. He was followed by Sajid Khan, Ahmed Baig, Omar Shikoh Khan, Muhammad Rehman and Ashiq Hussain.

Sharif is also leading in the net category ahead of Captain Imran Rana and Sajid Khan.

In the senior professionals’ category, Javed Inayat won the top honour in a dramatic finish. On the last hole (Blue 9th), Javed needed to sink a long putt to avoid a playoff against Imdad Hussain. He did manage to putt it to win the title. Imdad was runner-up.

KPK’s Zeeshan Khan won the junior professionals’ title by a whopping eight shots. Minhaj Maqsood was runner-up.

The four-day championship will conclude on Sunday (today).

Following are the results after third round:

Professionals

206: Shabbir Iqbal

208: Muhammad Ashfaq

210: Matloob Ahmed

212: Ansar Mehmood

214: Waheed Baloch

215: Muhammad Munir

216: Hamza Amin

217: Naeem Khan