PESHAWAR, Dec 26 (APP): Ansar Mehmood of Pakistan Navy with his gross score six under 66 led the opening day round of the 25th edition of the KP National Ranking Opening Golf Championship, which got under way here at 6666-yard PAF Golf Course on Saturday.
Vice President KP Golf Association and Station Commander Brig. Khaizer Sultan Raja formally inaugurated the Championship to be played on 54-holes, 18 holes each day.
The Championship is carrying Rs. 1.5 million as cash prize.
International golfer and member Executive Committee PGF Maj Arshad Mehmood, international golfers M. Munir, Shabbir Iqbal, Hamza Amin, Taimur Naseer, Naeem Khan etc were also present.
In his brief chat, he said on the special directives of President KP Golf Association Lt. Gen. Hidayatur Rehman, Corps Commander Peshawar, all out efforts have been taken to facilitate the players during 3-day Championship.
Ansar Mehmood hit an elegant round six under par 66 over 18 overs with 32, four under par, at front nine and 34, two under par, at back nine with four birdies and missed a stroke.
M. Naqas with his gross score 68, four under par, 32, four under, at front nine with four birdies and 36 par with four more birdies and missed a stroke at13 and 15.
Zahir Shah carded another excellent round of three under par 69 gross, with four birdies and a missed stroke at front 35 while at back nine added another 34, two under, laced with three more birdies.
M. Nazir of Islamabad Gymkhana carded two under par 70 with three over par 39 at front nine and back 31 at back nine with birdies at hole no. 6, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17 besides making a double boggy at par four hole no. 8. He also missed a strong at hole no. 9.
Recently winner of the Pakistan Open, International golfers M. Munir carded 71, one under, with 37, one over par, at front nine and 34, two under at back nine.
He also scored three birdies and missed a stroke at hole no 3 and 8. Muhammad Shabir Iqbal also carded 71, one under, with 36, par, at front nine and 35, one under, at back nine by scoring five birdies and missed a strong on four occasions.
Wisal Khan, international golfer Hamza Amin, Azmat Khan and Muhammad Arif also carded 72, par, each on the first day with Wisal scored four birdies and two bogy, Hamza made four birdies and three bogys, Azmat Khan with one birdie and a bogy and Muhammad Arif with three birdies and as many bogy were struggling behind the leaders.
In the Seniors Pro former Pakistan No. 1 golfer Imdad Hussain was the opening day leader with his gross score 73, one over par, followed by Ghafar Ahmad with 73 and Noor Khan of Bank of Khyber with 76, four over par.
