The 40th Punjab Open Golf Championship concluded at the exacting and arduous Pakistan Air Force Skyview Golf Course day after some ceaseless and eclectic demonstration of golf playing skills by the dexterous and capable Matloob Ahmed of Lahore Garrison.
Final days 18 holes round was intense and delirium oriented and out of six prime aspirants seeking the resplendent Punjab Open Title 2021, it was Matloob Ahmed who managed to ascend to the top through deftness, prowess and virtuosity. In the final round Matloob flourished and prospered through most reliable shot making, from the tees and sublime control over his approach shots augmented by finesse in putting on the greens. With birdies on holes 2, 8, 10, 11 and 18 and regulation pars on the other 13 holes Matloob became the principal star of the occasion with a final round score of gross 67 that reflected his earnestness and yearning to subdue all opponents with a three round aggregate gross score of 205, eleven under par.
In the process Matloob finished four strokes ahead of the runners up position achievers who are three in number. Out of these three M. Shahzad is from Lahore Garrison and a club mate of Matloob while M.Alam and Adil Jehangir are from PAF Skyview. No doubt M. Shahzad, M. Alam and Adil Jehangir played undaunted and resolute golf but missed out acquiring the top position because Matloob was astute and creative in handling of crucial shots.
The fierceness of the final days competition can be gauged from the fact that three professionals ended up in third slot at a score of 210, six under par and the champions who attained the third position include the steady M. Tariq, the dynamic Ahmed Baig and the battle hardened Shahid Javed Khan. At an under par score of five under par is the mighty Shabbir Iqbal, the experienced Ansar Mehmood and the upcoming Afzal Mohsin.
A few more participating professionals with under par scores were Taimoor Khan, three under, M.Munir, two under Khalid Khan and Akbar Mehroze, one under. That speaks of the golfing talent that Pakistan possesses. Simply spectacular. And watching these performances with awe was the champion of yester years, Ghullam Nabi who has won the Punjab Open Title ten times.
The front runner in amateur category was Damil Ataullah with three round scores of 76, 74 and 72 and a winning aggregate of 222. Second gross was secured by Qasim Ali Khan and his three rounds score was 79, 72 and 76 and an aggregate of 227. Omer Khokher ended up third with a three days aggregate of 228.
In Ladies section Parkha Ijaz did wonders by playing superbly and coming up with under par rounds of 68 and 68 and a memorable aggregate of 136, eight under par.
Other Results:
Senior Pros: Naseer Khan, first; Tahir Naseem, second; M.Akram, third.
Junior Pros: A. Wadood, first; M. Saqib, second; Ali Raza, third.
Senior Amateurs: M. Shafi, first gross; Tariq Mehmood, 2nd gross; Javed Ahmed Khan, third gross. Asim Tiwana, first net; Brig. Aslam, 2nd net; S. Haider Hussain 3rd net. Ladies Parkha Ijaz, first gross; Ghazala Yasmin, 2nd gross; Suneya Osama, 3rd gross; Rimsha Ijaz, first net; Munaza Shaheen, 2nd net; Shahnaz Moeen, 3rd net.
