Shabbir retains Rashid Memorial golf title

KARACHI: Back in 2008 Tiger Woods won everything that was worth winning on the Tour. In Pakistan, at the moment, Shabbir Iqbal is, more or less, doing the same.

On Sunday, the Pakistan No. 1, who is easily the most prolific professional in the country, had a cakewalk to the title in the 7th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Championship here at the Karachi Golf Club.

Shabbir spearheaded the leader-board on all three days and there was no way he was letting it all slip out of his hands in the final round.Beginning the final day with a three-shot lead, Shabbir played a steady round of three-under-par 69 for a four-day aggregate of -12. He took no great risk and still walked away with victory by six strokes.

Shabbir’s cause was helped by a relatively below-par showing by his nearest rivals Muhammad Munir, Amjad Yousuf and Matloob Ahmed. In the end, former champion Waheed Baloch, the local favourite, catapulted himself to a runner-up finish with a stunning round of six-under 66. It was the best round of the tournament but turned out to be a case of too little too late.

Waheed played 34 on Blue and 32 on Yellow. He eagled the par-5 tenth hole and made birdies on holes 12 and 14. On the front nine he made birdies on holes 2 and 6. His bogey-free round helped Waheed take the runner-up trophy which came with a cash prize of Rs. 357,459 but the lion’s share of the prize money was bagged by Shabbir who won 531,409. M. Munir and Ansar Mahmood were tied for the third place.

While the professionals’ category didn’t see much drama, there was an enthralling playoff in the senior professionals’ category in which Mehmood Kiyani faltered when it mattered most. Kiyani was cruising to victory but had a double bogey on the 18th hole allowing Imdad to force a playoff. In the playoff, Kiyani’s chip on the 18th hole fell too short enabling Imdad to par the hole and win the title. Syed Jamal Badshah, an eminent coach, won the KGC senior professionals’ title. Aftab Ahmed of KGC was handed the keys of an 800cc car for making a hole-in-one in the KGC Pros category.