Shabbir gains opening day lead in Pakistan Open Golf

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan No.1 golfer Shabbir Iqbal earned seven under 65 to leave behind all other professional competitors in the Pakistan Open Golf Championship 2009 that teed of at the Rawalpindi Golf Club Course, Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Shabbir, who claimed Lahore Garrison around a week back, was in top form on the opening day of the top national golf event. He got seven birdies on his way to attain a brilliant first round score. He raced to a three-stroke lead and at his heels was none other than the youngsters from Lahore Latif Rafiq who fired four under 68 for the day after completing 18 holes game.
Muhammad Munir, Muhammad Akram, Tahir Naseem and Karam Hussain were equally at third position. However, it was the day for Shabbir, who was as usual at his best, leaving the others well behind.
"I could have got even better score but missing some easy putts came in the way. I just missed eagle on hole 1 and 9 besides missing birdies on almost five other holes and that was all because of missing putts, he said after day-1 game.
Former tennis star Saeed Hai's son, Ali Hai, who carded one over 73 for the day, played the best round of the day. Taimur Hasan, who now gives more time to golf administration, carded two over 74. An interesting battle is on cards as the top six professionals emerging from the first round have already set the pace for rest of rounds.