KARACHI: Shabbir Iqbal underlined his status as Pakistan’s best professional when he displayed steely nerves to win the Pakistan Open Golf Championship by three strokes here in pleasant yet challenging playing conditions here at the DHA Golf Club on Sunday.

The seasoned pro from Islamabad began the final round with a four-shot lead fully aware that only a lapse of concentration can allow his nearest rivals to catch up with him.Shabbir played steady golf to record a par 72 round that was enough for him to clinch the crown ahead of Matloob Ahmed, the Pakistan number two.

Shabbir’s three previous rounds personified consistency with scores of 69, 70 and 71 and on the final day he kept up the pressure with controlled play to finish with an aggregate of 282, six under par. The nearest challenger, Matloob Ahmed of Lahore’s Garrison Club, did play some brave shots in the final go, and for a few brief spells the element of a close duel did raise its head sparking some exciting flashes, but in the end the moment of glory was certainly not destined to tilt his way and he had to be content with the runners up slot. Others who ended up behind them were Mohammed Munir (Islamabad) and Afsar Ali joint third.

As for Shabbir the victory brings ample honours and money, but what needs to be emphasised here is that in all four rounds of this competition there was no doubting the thoroughness of shabbir’s approach.

“To win consistently, not only must luck be present, but shot-making has to reach a pitch of perfection.”In his moment of glory, as he got off the green, Taimur Hassan, Secretary of Pakistan Golf Federation and a legendary champion himself, stepped up, embraced him and complimented him for winning the open title a fourth time.

Taimur hoped that Shabbir will take along and serve as a role model for the amateur turned professional golfers like Aadil Jehangir, Daaniyaal Jehangir and Hamza Amin.

Aadil, who had an excellent third round, failed to click when it mattered most as he returned with an unimpressive final round card of 82 to slip to ninth place finish after beginning the fourth day at the third spot. Hamza, playing his first event after turning professional, finished on the tenth place.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top 40 professionals from a prize basket of Rs3 million. Ali Hai of Karachi Golf Club emerged as the best amateur beating the seasoned Waseem Rana of DHA Golf Club by a stroke. Ali Hai had a four days aggregate of 306 as against Waseem Rana’s 307, followed by Anser Mehmood (Karachi) 311, Robin Bagh (Sarghoda) 314, Mohammed Rehman (Royal Palm) 317, Taimur Hassan (Islamabad) 318, Sajid Khan (ASCC) 318 and Ghazanfar Mehmood (Rawalpindi) 320.

The senior professionals showed their mettle and after two competitive rounds Asgher Ali (Punjab Police) captured the top position in this category with rounds of 72 and 77 and an aggregate of 149, seven strokes better than the runners-up Ghani Khan of Karachi Golf Club. Mohammed Shafiq of Railways came third with a score of 157, followed by Akbar Ali (Gymkhana) 157, and Ghulam Nabi (Gymkhana) 158.

The prizes were awarded by Lt Gen Zaheer ul Islam, Corps Commander Karachi. Also present on this occasion was Aqeel Karim Dhedi, President AKD Group, sponsors of the championship, SGA’s Asad I A Khan and tennis legend Saeed Hai.

Final leaderboard:

Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad) 69+70+71+72=282

Matloob Ahmed (Garrison, Lahore) 71+72+71+71=285

Afsar Ali (Star Com) 73+73+72+73=291

Mohammed Munir (Islamabad) 70+71+77+73=291

Javed Inayat (HBL) 79+68+71+75=293

Shafiq Masih (Gymkhana) 73+75+76+70=294

Anser Mehmood (Islamabad) 72+78+74+73=297

Waheed Baloch (Karachi Golf Club) 75+76+73+73=297

Adil Jehangir (Gymkhana) 76+72+68+82=298

Hamza Amin (Islamabad) 79+68+75+76=298.

caption

Shabbir Iqbal (centre)... won by three strokes —The News photo