KARACHI: After three years in South Africa, Minhaj Maqsood had returned to the Pakistan Golf Federation Tour and arrived at the inaugural edition of the Sindh Governor’s Cup as a relative unknown.

But he’s left a mark for sure.

Having led the first two rounds, the 25-year-old from Rawalpindi was in the share of the lead with Pakistan’s top golfer Shabbir Iqbal halfway through the final round here at the DHA Golf Club on Sunday.

He ran Shabbir close. So did Shabbir’s long-time rival Matloob Ahmed. And a rollercoaster day provided a thrilling finish in which Shabbir (68) coming out on top with a total of 14-nder 274, just a stroke ahead of Matloob (65) and two ahead of Minhaj (69).

It was also a finish that made sure that next time Minhaj plays on the circuit, he won’t be an unknown.“I tried my best and was in contention till the very end,” Minhaj, who did a diploma in professional golf during his time in South Africa, told Dawn afterwards. “I will try to pick up from this performance and do better in the future.”

Minhaj had started the final round a shot adrift of Shabbir and his chances seemed well and truly over when he bogeyed the fourth hole, sending Shabbir, who’d birdied the second and fourth, four shots clear.

But then, things swung in his favour. Minhaj sank three consecutive birdies from the sixth, where Shabbir double-bogeyed. Shabbir got himself back up with a birdie to close the front nine but Minhaj was level with him heading into the final nine holes and Waheed Baloch had also moved into contention at two shots back.

The seemingly three-horse race at the turn turned to a four-horse race as Matloob started the back nine with a birdie before firing a spectacular birdie on the par-4 11th to move a shot adrift of the Shabbir and Minhaj.

Shabbir and Minhaj traded birdies on the next three holes and by the 15th, Matloob had slipped two shots behind. Waheed was already out of contention by then.

It was Matloob who made the move on the par-five 15th, firing an eagle. Shabbir responded with a birdie while Minhaj broke par. Matloob was now level with Minhaj, one shot off Shabbir.

Shabbir and Minhaj both birdied the 17th, meaning at the final hole it was Shabbir holding a one-stroke lead over Minhaj with Matloob two shots back. Matloob birdied it to move above Minhaj, who bogeyed, leaving Shabbir to clinch it with a putt for par.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2021