LAHORE - Nouman Ilyas of Lahore Garrison moved to forefront with a noteworthy score of gross 142, two under par in the four-round 61st National Amateur Golf Championship 2021 here at the PAF-managed Peshawar Golf Course on Friday. 
This performance of Nouman endows him the top position on the leaderboard, leaving the overnight leader M Shoaib, five strokes behind. In the second round, Nouman was steadfast, unwavering and intense in his pursuit of a commendable score that would fetch him a respectable and virtuous position in the championship. His second round score was again a gross 71, one under par and that added to his first round 71, gave him an aggregate score of 142, two under par. 
As for the overnight leader Shoaib, the magical touch of the first round was missing yesterday and nerves hit him on the second hole of the second round and the suppressing element of timidity blemished his progression as he encountered a triple bogie on this hole. Thereafter, he did exert to recover but the redemption was not too advantageous. His score of gross 78 plus first round wonderful score of 69 gave him a two rounds aggregate of 147. Salman Jehangir and Saim Shazli are placed at the aggregate score of 149 after disappointing rounds on Friday. 
Defending champion Omar Khalid is placed fifth with two rounds scores of 74 and 76 and a total of 150. Also at 150 is Qasim Ali Khan and still seeking a turn-around for the better. Hamza Khattak lies seventh at 151 followed by Hamza Khan and Laraib ur Rehman at 152. The cut was applied at the end of second round and only 31 aspirants compete over the remaining two rounds. 
Ladies completed their first round yesterday and the leader in ladies category is Humna Amjad with an impressive score of gross 74. Parkha Ijaz is at 76, Rimsha Ijaz at 77 Aania Farooq at 82. The inter association team match concluded yesterday and Sind Team, comprising Saim Shazli, Hamza Khan, Omer Khalid and Yashal Shah, emerged victorious with a team score of 449, Punjab Team finished runners-up with a team score of 453. 
In race for honors amongst senior amateurs, Col Waqar Ahmed is leading with a gross score of 75. In second position is Tariq Mehmood at a score of 77 and third is M Amer Ali at 80. As for the inter association seniors match, Punjab Team consisting of Tariq Mehmood, Asif Mehdi, Col M Shafi and Shafiq Bhatti is leading with a team score of 242.