CNS Open Golf Championship being held in Karachi, Pakistan
The 15th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Open Golf Championship started at the flourishing green Karachi Golf Club on Thursday.
This year the Championship carries the major prize of PKR 3 million in the history of national golf. The championship that will last for four days includes six different categories and 360 participants have registered for the championship.
Last year’s winner Muhammad Munir and other 120 professionals will play for the top position in the big field. Big names in Pakistan’s golf like Shabbir Iqbal, Matloob and Shahid Javed are also playing in the event. The event has been sponsored by United Marine Agencies. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) told reporters about the role of sponsors and Pakistan Navy in the promotion of sports. The competition will be of 72 holes and it will include both professionals and amateurs.
The 2010 Open Chief of Naval Staff started in a dramatic way. The first shock came when defending champion Muhammad Munir disqualified after submitting erroneous score card on Thursday.
The committee decided to drop him out after he failed to clarify mistakes on his first round card.
According to a member of the tournament committee, a wrong score for hole number 15 was marked on Muhammad Munir’s card by the marker and claimed it was unintentional.
Lt Cmdr Irfan said, “We have probed into the matter and found that it was not anything deliberate by the player (Munir),”
“But golf’s rules are very particular and there was no other way for us but to disqualify Munir from the tournament. Unfortunately, he is out from the event.”
The opening day of the tournament was overshadowed by controversy.
Shabbir Iqbal, who has been considered favourite, finished the day with a two-shot lead, after carding three-under-par 69, to lead the pack after the first round.
Shabbir Iqbal, the only golfer who is in control on the difficult and rough course. He hit six birdies. He also maintained his lead after making another fine second round of three-under par 69 on Friday on the second day of 15th Chief of Naval Staff Golf Championship. Shabbir Iqbal of Pakistan Navy, won the titles in 2007 and 2008, struggled to play consistently at the flourishing greens on the second day.
Shabbir from Islamabad is enjoying clear lead of five strokes with a score of 138 after the completion of 36-hole game. Four birdies at the front nine and one birdie and two bogeys at the back nine in the pack of 49 by Shabbir in the prestigious event that carries a lucrative PKR 3 million purse as prize money.
Shabbir Iqbal of Pakistan Navy, won the titles in 2007 and 2008, struggled to play consistently at the lush greens on the second day.
In 2009, Shabbir Iqbal desired to make a hat trick by winning the tournament for the third time but his dream failed to come true as Muhammd Munir defeated him and won the championship. Therefore, Shabbi Iqbal seems to claim the championship again in this year.
This year, Chanzaib and Shahid Javed Khan occupy the second place. They both made 71 scores.
In the section of amateur, Tariq Mehmood made a clear lead, followed by Waseem Rana who stood second.
When asked about the championship, Pakistan Golf Federation’s representatives said, “Holding the CNS event successively for the 15th year shows Navy’s involvement and participation in the national golfing calendar.”
He further said that the championship has made a very vital place in the PGF calendar. He also thanked the sponsors for supporting the event. He also thanked other sponsors for their support in organizing the tournament.
The 2010 CNS championship has been successful in presenting a spectacular event.
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