Daily Times

LAHORE: Taimur Khan of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) won the 55th National Amateur Golf Championship at the par 72 Defence Raya Club Golf Course here on Sunday. Except for a miserable moment when he triple bogeyed the 13th hole, he remained a dominant contender on the final day. The triple bogey on the 13th did cause tremors to his victory chances as Ghazanfar Mahmood of Garden City Golf Club took over the lead and started to appear tall and in command. But the phenomenal approach of Taimur helped him to recover through pars on holes 14 and 15 while Ghazanfar ended the holes with bogeys and when these two fierce competitors teed off from the 16th tee, their scores were level.

Thereafter more drama was in store. Both hit powerful tee shots, and while Taimur had a relatively good approach shot to the green, Ghazanfar hit his approach shot a little too softly and ended up in the bunker. This was atrocious stuff and Ghazanfar was angry at himself and with dismay all over his face he went for the bunker shot. That turned out to be a dream shot as the ball landed in the hole and fetched Ghazanafar a birdie. The Ghazanfar favouring development certainly perturbed Taimur who then went for his putt with all the courage he could gather. And what a fruit that brought, a most welcome birdie, which left them level again.

On the next hole both had regulation pars and then came the final winning touch on the 18th.Through perfect hitting and an amazing putt Taimur recorded a par while Ghazanfar missed his putt and the moment of glory was all Taimur’s. By achieving victory through a one stroke margin he was now the national golf champion of Pakistan for 2016. Taimur, no doubt, had excelled in this championship and though there were moments when destiny seemed tilted towards him, he had been relentlessly efficient in his pursuit of victory. It is a great moment for me,” he said after emerging victorious. “I will take my golf career forward with more vigour and devotion.” As for other competitors, M Rehman of Royal Palm Club was the outstanding one and finished third along with Ahmed Ali Shah of Sindh. The winner in amateur net was Ahmed Baig of Lahore Garrison Club with net score of 285. Zunair Aleem of Defence Raya Club was second in net. His score was 286. Third net went to Munir Hussain also of Defence Raya Club. He carded a net score of 287.

In the women’s section the champion was once again Ghazala Yasmin of Lahore Garrison Club. Ghazala remained in command during the three rounds. Her scores were 79, 75 and 88 and an aggregate of 242. Ami quin of Islamabad was the runner-up while Rimsha Ijaz of Margalla Club came third. In the women’s net, Parkha Ijaz won first net. Zaib un Nisa of Royal Palm Club was the net runner-up. Ana James also of Royal Palm was third. Prizes were awarded to the winners by Maj Gen Omer Farooq Burki, DG Rangers Punjab.

Leader board positions:

1: Taimur Khan (PAF) 72+72+72+75=291

2: Ghazanfar Mehmood (Garden City Golf Club) 74+77+69+72=292

3: M Rehman (Royal Palm) 73+74+78+72=297

4: Ahmed Ali Shah (Sindh) 79+74+69+75=297

5: Zohaib Asif (79+77+66+79=301

6:Abdul Zahoor (Multan) 79+73+75+75=302.