KARACHI: Spirited Muhammad Afzal Mohsin captured his maiden title when he won the 14th edition of Sindh Open Golf Championship with three strokes lead against Shabbir Iqbal at picturesque Arabian Sea Country Club on Sunday.
Afzal fired the rounds of 66, 69 and 73 to end with an aggregate of 208 to lead the field in 54-hole competition.
Pakistan’s ace golfer Shabbir Iqbal representing Ufone was contended with runner-up spot with total of 211, three strokes behind Afzal.
After making whirlwind start with 6-under-par 66 on the opening day, Shabbir scored 72 and 73 in the last two rounds.
Defending Champion Muhammad Muneer ended third with a total of 213 after rounds of 73, 70, and 70.
Ghazanfar Mahmood of Rawalpindi clinched the amateur event with an aggregate of 222 with rounds of 76, 74, and 72.
Sindh Golf Association (SGA) Ahmed Abdul Bari, who was the chief guest, presented the glittering silver trophy to Muhammad Afzal Mohsin with cash prize of Rs152,900. Shabbir Iqbal got Rs102,800 as the runner-up and Muhammad Muneer was given Rs73,750 for securing third spot.
“It’s like a dream come true. I was playing with the country’s top golfers Shabbir and Muneer and it inspired me to do well,” said 38-year-old Afzal from Sindh Regimental Centre Hyderabad. “I have been playing on pro circuit since 1990 but this was my best performance,” he said.
“My putting on the second and the third day was not up to the mark,” said Shabbir. He praised Afzal for producing his best in the presence of top golfers.
