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Waheed Baloch fires 66 to take lead in CNS Open

By Our Correspondent
July 09, 2021

KARACHI: Waheed Baloch is one of the most accomplished professionals from Karachi but many followers of the game were beginning to believe that he was a spent force because of an extended dip in form.

But on Thursday, Waheed proved them wrong as he braved the elements on his home course at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) to shoot a stunning round of six-under par 66 and take a three-shot lead in the opening round of the Engro 25th Chief of Naval Staff Open Golf Championship.

The seasoned Waheed might not be among the longest hitters on the national circuit but he certainly knows the KGC course well. So while most of the other leading title aspirants struggled on the windswept course, Waheed played a perfect round of golf as he sank six birdies to finish with a score of 66.

Waheed returned with an unblemished card as he played a bogey-free round.

He has a three-shot lead over the more fancied duo of defending champion Matloob Ahmed and Shabbir Iqbal, Pakistan’s most successful professional.

“I was at the top of my game today,” said a visibly-pleased Waheed. “Everything fell into place for me. I was finding the fairways and had 16 greens in regulation. My putting, too, was quite good,” he said.

Waheed made a perfect start to his campaign in the Rs8.5 million championship when he made birdies on holes 1 and 2. He later birdied the 4th and 8th holes to finish the front nine at 32 (-4). Waheed continued his perfect round with birdies on holes 15 and 16.

Lahore’s Matloob, looking to defend the coveted title, also made an impressive start with an opening round card of three-under 69.

Islamabad’s Shabbir, one of the hot favourites for the coveted title, also fired a similar round of 69.

The duo was followed by Muhammad Zubair (70), Muhammad Munir (71), M Khalid (71), Muhammad Nazir, Muhammad Zubair, Amjad Yousuf, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Ashfaq and Ahmed Baig (72).

In the amateurs’ category, Omar Shikoh took the lead after carding an impressive round of 72. He was followed by Captain Nomanuddin (75), Hamza Ghani (77), Abdullah Adil (77), Omar Khalid (78), Saim Shazli (78), Arsalan Shikoh (78), Adam Khan (78).

In the senior professionals’ category, Muhammad Akram carded an impressive round of 69 to take a three-shot lead over his rivals. In second place was the duo of Tahir Naseem and Muhammad Rafique (72).

In the junior professionals’ category, Lahore’s Muhammad Saqib (77) took a slim one-shot lead over Nabeel Khan (78). The four-day championship will conclude on Sunday.