LAHORE-Shahid Javed Khan of Royal Palm Golf Club took lead in the second round of the Nabi Yousaf Memorial Professional Golf Challenge Cup after battling through very tough competitive conditions here at the par 72 Royal Palm golf course on Friday.
Shahid managed a two-round aggregate score of 138, six under par, and in the process, he dislodged the overnight leader Sunny Masih from the top slot on the leader board and occupied it at the end of the second round. In the course of the second round, Shahid did come across bogies on three holes (2nd, 6th and 16th) but other 15 holes were either birdied or parred. The birdie excellence was achieved on the 3rd, 7th, 12th, 13th and 16th, while regulation pars were carded on ten holes.
"As the situation stands, it is a big challenge for me now, said Shahid and added: “I have to use my experience to advantage as this is my home course and all the stake holders at Royal Palm have huge expectations from me.” Shabbir Iqbal was placed second, just one stroke behind leader Shahid, and his score of gross 70 yesterday which gave him an aggregate of 139 for two days was a reflection of his control and command. Noteworthy aspects of his second round effort were five birdies on holes 3, 7, 9, 12 and 13, 10 perfect looking regulation pars but three bogies did slightly tarnish his great effort. Sunny Masih of Lahore Gymkhana was at a score of 141 followed by Afsar Ali of Karachi Golf Club at 142. At a par score of 144 were M Imran of Defence Raya, Rehmatullah of DHA, Karachi and M Naeem of Peshawar.