KARACHI: Karachi’s Ashfaq won the UMA 22nd Chief of Naval Staff Open Golf Championship — his first major title — after a heroic performance along the closing stretch here at the Karachi Golf Club on Sunday.
Trailing Pakistan No. 1 by four strokes, the talented Ashfaq made four birdies on the last five holes including consecutive ones on the last three to win the most lucrative title on the national golf circuit in astonishing fashion.
Known among his peers as Russi, Ashfaq fired a superb score of four-under par 68 — the best card of the final round — to stop Shabbir from a hat-trick of major titles this season.
Shabbir, who had won the Sindh Open and UBL Independence Day Cup in Karachi earlier this month, seemed on course for victory in the Rs7 million championship as he began the final day with a two-shot lead over Ashfaq.He doubled that lead by the end of the 14th hole and it seemed that Shabbir will just walk away with a record tenth UMA-CNS Open title.But Ashfaq had other ideas.
Aided by a series of super putts, Ashfaq made a memorable comeback as he birdied the par-5 15th hole and then sank a 30-footer to save a par on the 16th. He made back-to-back birdies on the next two holes to reduce Shabbir’s lead to just one shot.
On the last hole, while Ashfaq drove to the centre of the fairway, Shabbir landed in the bushes on the left but managed to get within seven feet of the hole with his third shot. Ashfaq hit his approach shot to just six feet from the hole. While Shabbir, who was struggling with his putter the whole day, missed the hole, Ashfaq birdied it to become the UMA-CNS Open champion.
“It’s a great feeling to win such a major title in such memorable manner,” Ashfaq said after his victory. He was still in a daze after fellow golfers and caddies hoisted him on their shoulders to celebrate a win that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Shabbir, meanwhile, was left ruing what was an excellent opportunity to regain the coveted crown.“My putting let me down today as I missed seven birdie chances today,” he said.
Defending champion Matloob Ahmed finished third after two double bogeys on the final day. The duo of Hamza Amin and Muhammad Munir were tied for the fourth place. They were followed by Waheed Baloch and Moazzam Siddiq.
Lahore’s Ahmed Baig won the amateurs’ (gross) title ahead of M. Sharif while Captain Imran Rana prevailed in the net category. KGC stalwart Sohail Kareem Rana won the seniors crown ahead of Brig Nayyar Afzal, Secretary Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF).
Other title winners included Humera Khalid, Suneyah Osama (ladies), Dr Imran Ghayoor (seniors), Waleed Chachar, Hamza Gheewala, Yashal Shah and Omar Intesar (juniors).Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the four-day championship that was participated by a total of 640 players in various categories.
Commending the untiring efforts of Pakistan Navy, KGC staff and the organisers of the championship, Admiral Zakaullah said that the successful conduct of the event is the manifestation of highest level of patronage enjoyed by this game. He added that golf undoubtedly is a fast emerging game for all ages in Pakistan and Pakistan Navy takes pride in organising a golf championship of this stature every year.
He also paid special gratitude to the sponsors and media for their support to the game of Golf and Pakistan Navy’s efforts to promote sports in the country.Sohail Shams, CEO of United Marine Agencies, said that his company will continue to support national golf as a part of its vision for a bright and prosperous Pakistan.
Final results (professionals):
276: Muhammad Ashfaq.
277: Shabbir Iqbal.
281 Matloob Ahmed.
285: Hamza Amin, Muhammad Munir.
287: Waheed Baloch.
289: Moazzam Siddiq.
290: Muhammad Tariq, Naeem Khan.
291: Muhammad Sohail.
