PESHAWAR - International golfer Tariq Mehmood of Navy maintained his lead with his gross 144 score over 36 holes on the second day of the 47th Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amateur National Ranking Open Golf Championship here at PAF Golf Course on Saturday.
With his excellent round of 74, two over par, Tariq, who carded 70, two under in his overnight, made an aggregated total of 144, par, over 36 holes with 36, par at front nine and 38, two over par, at back nine, hitting three birdies at holes 1, 8 and 17 besides missing a stroke at holes no 2, 5, 7, 11 and 15.
Tariq, who is also going to represent Pakistan in the forthcoming World Military Golf Championship in Behrain next month, while talking to media persons said that the response of the green was faster as it was on the first day. About his chances of winning the championship, he expressed his confidence of maintaining his supremacy on the final day on Sunday (today).
Meanwhile, Taimur Naseer was struggling at 145, a stroke behind the second day leader Tariq. Taimur, also gearing up for the Prime Minister Gold Cup, said that it was good preparation in the ranking event. “It was my home course but I found little time to adjust with. Besides, my drives were superb as I hit almost all regulations," he added.
Taimur added 73, one over par, to his overnight 72, par by playing 36, par at front nine and 37, one over par, at back nine with four birdies at holes no 4, 6, 10 and 18 and missed a stroke at hole no. 1, 3, 11 and 17 and double bogies at hole no 12.
Both Naseem Khan of Army and Akbar Qayyum Bokhari have shared third position with their gross score 149, five over par. Naeem, a member of the national team, added 76, four over par, to his overnight 73, one over, by hitting 41, five over par, at front nine and 35, one under at back nine.
Naeem Khan made three birdies and a double bogies at hole no 6 where his ball landing the Nullah that cost him two strokes besides missing a stroke at 7, 8, 9 and 11. Akbar Qayyum Bokhari played a best round of the second day by adding 70, two under par, to his overnight score 79, seven over par. Bokhari hit an excellent 34, two under at front nine holes and 36, par, at back nine holes with four birdies at holes no 1, 8, 9 and 18 and a bogy at hole no 11.
Inayat Ullah Yousafzai carded 150, six over par by adding 76 to his overnight 74 by scoring a single birdie at hole no 2 besides missing a stroke on four occasions. Zeeshan Khan (151) and Khalid Mehmood (154) were the other leading scorers. Today (Sunday) is the concluding day of the event.