KARACHI, Feb 10: Mohammad Munir made back-to-back birdies on the final two holes to dethrone reigning champion Shabbir Iqbal as he came from behind to clinch the fourth All-Pakistan DHA Karachi Opening Golf Championship title at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club (DACGC) here on Sunday.

Islamabad Club’s Munir, who had qualified for this year’s Asian Tour, ended the event with rounds of 71, 71 and 73 to finish on the top of the leaderboard with an aggregate of 215.

Playing in tension-packed final three holes, Munir played double bogey on the 16th hole before wrapping the title.

Shabbir, also from Islamabad Club, and Amjad Yousuf of Karachi Golf Club (KGC) finished joint runners-up with a total of 216. Shabbir carded the rounds of 70, 72 and final round of two-over-par 74 which let the title slipped out of his hands.

Javed Inayat could have also challenged Munir and Shabbir. But he failed to make birdies on the deciding last two holes, thus ending his campaign with rounds of 72, 71 and 73. Major General Agha Masood Akram, who was chief guest, distributed the prizes along with Lieutenant General (retired) Arbab Jahanzaib.|

Munir collected the glittering crystal trophy and cash purse of Rs189,202 while Shabbir and Javed both earned Rs103,122 each.

Secretary of Pakistan Golf Federation, Taimur Hasan and DACGC secretary Brigadier (retired) Abdul Qayyum and convener tournament committee Ismail Ahmed Hashim were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed of Lahore Gymkhana won the Senior Masters event. Ghulam Nabi and Akhtar Ali both from the same club finished second and third respectively.

Enjoying the handicap of three, Salman Jahangir won the amateur title with grand total of 231 after carding the rounds of 78, 75, and 78.

Pakistan’s top amateur golfer Mohammad Ali Hai, having the handicap of minus one, was contended runner with same total with rounds of 75, 77 and 79. Taimur Khan from finished third with an aggregate of 236.

Tehmina Rashid of Islamabad Golf Club won the ladies gross event while Shahida Islam also from the same club was the runner-up.

Final leaderboard:

Professionals:

215 — Mohammad Munir (Islamabad) 71, 71, 73. 216 —Javed Inayat (Karachi Golf Club) 72, 71, 73; Shabbir Iqbal (Islamabad) 70, 72, 73. 217 — Mohammad Siddique (LGC) 75, 73, 69 218 — Mohammad Safdar Khan (Gujranwala) 73, 71, 74, Matloob Ahmed (LGC) 71, 74, 73.

Amateurs:

231 — Salman Jahangir (Lahore Gymkhana) 78, 75, 78. 231 — Ali Hai (KGC) 75, 77, 79. 236 — Taimur Khan (Peshawar) 74, 81, 81. 237 — Hamza Ghani (DHA) 82, 81, 74. 239 — Zohaib Asif (DHA) 78, 80, 81.—APP