Matloob triumphs as Zulfiqar blows away chance to win CAS Open

KARACHI: Unheralded local golfer Zulfiqar Ali squandered a perfect opportunity to land the biggest title of his career on Sunday when two three-putts by him allowed the seasoned Matloob Ahmed to win the coveted CAS Open golf crown here at the Airmen Golf Course.

DHA’s Zulfiqar, a hard-working yet under-achieving pro, seemed down and out when he carded a forgettable 77 on the opening day. But a second round 67 followed by 71 on the third day gave him an outside chance of winning the Rs8 million championship. He came agonizingly close to what could have been his first major title on the national circuit.

Zulfiqar faced a five shot deficit against leader Matloob but a stunning eagle on the par-5 14th where he holed his third shot from the bunker allowed him to catch up with the Lahore pro.

But in the last few holes Zulfiqar was unable to give his best when it mattered most. While Matloob struggled in the fairway, Zulfiqar found the greens tricky and a couple of three-putts allowed Matloob to bounce back. They were even at three-under (aggregate) on the last hole where Matloob’s drive landed in the fairway but Zulfiqar was wayward. His second shot hit a tree and Zulfiqar was unable to recover from there. Matloob made a par but Zulfiqar had a double bogey. Matloob won the championship with an aggregate of 285 followed by runner-up Zulfiqar (287). Pakistan No.1 Shabbir Iqbal and Waheed Baloch finished at a joint third place at 288.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony and gave away the prizes.