Ahmed Baig Leads Bank AL Habib 14th Rashid D. Habib National Professional Golf Tournament

The Tournament is heating up at Karachi

Golf Club, with top golfers

delivering thrilling performances

Sports Reporter

Karachi: The Bank AL Habib 14th Rashid D. Habib National Professional Golf Tournament is heating up at Karachi Golf Club, with top golfers delivering thrilling performances.

Ahmed Baig and Muhammad Zubair Set the Pace

The opening round saw a fierce battle as Ahmed Baig and Muhammad Zubair dominated the leaderboard, both carding an impressive 65 (-7). Their exceptional driving accuracy and putting skills set them apart, making them the ones to watch. Close behind, Muhammad Munir posted a solid 67 (-5), while Mudassir Iqbal followed with a 68 (-4), ensuring an intense competition.

Ideal Conditions Favor Aggressive Play

The course played exceptionally well, with favorable weather allowing golfers to take aggressive shots. The par-5 holes provided key scoring opportunities, and Ahmed Baig capitalized on them with consistent performance across both nines. Zubair’s precision on the greens further solidified his top position.

Leaderboard After Round One

• Ahmed Baig – 65 (-7)
• Muhammad Zubair – 65 (-7)
• Muhammad Munir – 67 (-5)
• Mudassir Iqbal – 68 (-4)
• Muhammad Sajjad, Muhammad Sharif PN, Tallat Ijaz – 69 (-3)

Among the amateurs, Sadiq Habib and Arsalan Shikoh Khan stood out, scoring 77 and 78, respectively.

Tournament director Commodore Zafar and chief referee Col Zahid praised the high level of competition, stating, “This championship always brings out the best in the players, and today was no exception. We anticipate an exciting battle over the next three days.”

Baig Maintains Lead as Tournament Enters Final Rounds

Defending champion Ahmed Baig continues to lead after three rounds with a total score of 207 (-9), followed closely by Muhammad Zubair at 208 (-8). Other strong contenders include Matloob Ahmed and Muhammad Munir, both tied at 210 (-6).

Senior and Junior Professionals Showcase Talent

The senior and junior professional categories commenced on Friday. In the junior division, Rehan Babar posted a 75, followed by Muhammad Sahil and Shahbaz Ali at 77. In the senior professional category, Muhammad Tariq leads with 68, while Aurangzeb Khan trails closely at 69.

Grand Finale Set for February 9

As the tournament heads into its final round, excitement is at an all-time high. The prestigious event, featuring a 72-hole format, will conclude on February 9, 2025. The leader flight is scheduled to tee off at 08:40 AM from the Red Course, with the nation’s top golfers vying for the coveted title.