Shabbir wins Sindh Open Golf

KARACHI - Shabbir Iqbal holding top national ranking overcame a surging challenge from Matloob Ahmed to lift the MCB 10th Sindh Open Golf crown with ten under par 206 in the three-day 54 holes championships that had attracted all the top professionals of the country here Friday at Arabian Sea Country Club golf course.
Shabbir Iqbal finished the third round at one under 71 while Matloob parred the score. None of the 40 golfers playing on the final day could manage a sub seventy total.
The victory which came under pressure conditions in the third round made the Islamabad-based golfer rich by Rs. 1, 12,000 and gave him third title in three weeks. No other professional golfer in recent past has achieved what Shabbir Iqbal did first at the CNS Open played here three weeks ago which he won by 12 under par score followed by his 16 under par win at Bolan Open at Quetta.
Tied in joint second were Muhammad Muneer of Crescent Bank and Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana who almost snatched the crown from Shabbir on front nine but when he faltered on back-nine his grip on the expected title slipped as fast as came to him. The two won cash awards of 62,000 each.
Chairman Pakistan Steel Mills Moeen Aftab Shaikh was the guest of honour at the prize distribution ceremony. CEO Arabian Sea Country Club and captain of the club former amateur international Asad IA Khan were also present on the occasion.
Last year's champion Amjad Yousuf finished 10th on the leader board with four over 220. Sajjad Khan, who led in the first round with five under 67 played next rounds 74 and 79 to finish 11th on the leader board.
Asad IA Khan on the occasion announced increasing senior professional's prize money from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 100,000.Ghnai Khan has already retained the senior title he won last year.