LAHORE: Shabbir Iqbal, the best professional golf player of Pakistan, added another title to his list of triumphs when he won the Mangla Open Golf Championship, held at the refreshing par 72 Mangla Golf Course, the other day. Throughout the three rounds one witnessed a feast of stroke making from Shabbir and also his challengers like Mohammad Munir, Shahid Javed Khan, Matloob Ahmed and Muhammad Naseem. While the challengers did make a valiant attempt to curb Shabbir, but the lack of excellence in application of golfing skills towards the closing holes tilted the scales in favour of the ultimate winner who stuck to his winning march without letting the slightest touch of blemish come his way.
Shabbir managed to successfully translate his potential, ability and mental toughness into a repeat of earlier triumphs on a golf course that is laid out in a lush green valley surrounded by delightful scenic views and a refreshing atmosphere. His score on the first day was gross 69, backed up by a score of 70 on the second day and in the final phase when the competitive angle was razor sharp, he carded another excellence loaded score of gross 69. In all three rounds there were no errant tee shots and hardly any missed putts. And through this combination, Shabbir made an intimidating presence that literally caused his opponents to shiver.
Through sponsorship, the management of Mangla Golf Club had placed of offer lucrative cash awards of rupees one million to top 30 performers, and though Shabbir was in command and control throughout, the other competitors used their wealth of experience to negotiate the manifold perils of Mangla Golf Course. Yes, they did not win the top prize but played composed golf, hitting fairways and greens and making putts. Khalid Khan of Peshawar, the runner-up in this championship, had rounds of 68, 72 and 69 and a total aggregate of 209, seven under par as against the eight under par score of 208, compiled by Shabbir. The difference may be just one stroke but it deprived Khalid of the title and that brought him considerable agony.
Minir, the established one, enjoyed his own sparkling moments. But in the ultimate reckoning he had to be content with the third slot although he came with up with a fabulous round of gross 68 on the final day. Others to attain various prominent places were Muhammad Naeem 215, Shahid Javed Khan 215, Mohammad Safdar 215 and Muhammad Waqas 216. Top three positions were claimed by two professionals from Islamabad and one from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This requires analysis and deliberations on the part of management of the clubs in Punjab. Shabbir was all praise for the Mangla Golf Course and said: “The course is fantastic and it brings the best out of you and I am surprised that it does not attract international golfers.”