Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab won the Inter Association Team title in the 55th National Amateur Golf Championship at Defence Raya Golf Club here on Saturday. Punjab, comprising Muhammad Rehman, Ahmad Baig, Ashiq Hussain and Ghazanfar Mehmood, succeeded in winning the crown after overcoming the biggest challenge put up by the Sindh A team that comprised Ahmad Ali Shah, Waseem Rana, Zohaib Asif and Anser Mehmood. At the beginning of the day, Punjab had a lead of 10 strokes over Sindh and looked comfortably placed for victory. But as the game progressed, the Sindh players touched heights of excellence and managed to close the day at level with Punjab.

It sent shock waves of dismay in the Punjab camp. As per rules, the teams had to nominate one player each for a sudden death play off. Punjab opted for Ahmad Baig and Sindh put up Zohaib Asif. The play off turned out to be a frighteningly tight affair and for two holes the game was level. On the third hole, the young one of Punjab played a super approach shot to earn a birdie for himself and a grand and a memorable victory for his team.

Meanwhile, the contest for national individual title continued yesterday. Taimoor Khan of Khyberpakhtunkhwa used his experience, skills and battle hardened temperament to accumulate a score of 216 over 54 holes (three rounds) and stay in the lead in the race for the national title. On the third day, there were thrilling twists and turns as quite a few strong contenders, who were lagging behind at the end of the second round, regained their touch of golfing excellence and came up with superb under par rounds to improve their positions on the leader board.

Ghazanfar Mehmood came up with a round of three under par 69 to conclude the three rounds at an aggregate score of 220 and thereby occupied the second position four strokes behind Taimoor Khan. Zohaib Asif had a fabulous round of six under par 66 and with an overall aggregate of 222, he moved into the third slot, six shots behind the leader. He was placed at 17th after the second round and now he was at third. Another one who shot a three under par 69 was Ahmed Ali Shah of Karachi who was now at a score of 222, bracketed with Zohaib Asif, at the third position.

During the third round, the leader Taimoor Khan was again in control and his game reflected maturity and a determined touch. The shot making was consistent and also amazingly steady was his game on the greens. His third round score of par 72 gave him a three rounds aggregate of 216, and this can be attributed to a positive temperament and champion like all round touch of golfing ability. “My game has been fruitful indeed and with every passing shot I have felt more and more in control. The greens of Defence Raya Golf Course are excellent and that makes putting a joyful experience,” said Taimoor Khan. The 55th National Golf Championship will conclude on Sunday (today).

The standings after three rounds:

1: Taimoor Khan (KP) 72+72+72=216

2: Ghazanfar Mehmood (Bahria) 74+77+69=220

3: Zohaib Asif (Karachi) 79+77+66=222

4: Ahmed Ali Shah (Karachi) 79+74+69=222

5: M Rehman (Royal Palm) 73+74+78=225.