LAHORE: Muhammad Leghari of Royal Palm surprised everyone at the Lahore Gymkhana’s golf course by winning the 27th Millat Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament here on Sunday.
The concluding moments of the final day of this three-day championship at the Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course produced exciting moments as till the last putt on the 18th hole, the winner of the title was not clear.
At the end of 54 holes, Muhammad Leghari of Royal Palm had an aggregate score of 213, net (74+68+71) with an exactly similar score produced by Waleed Zubair, the overnight leader. Although both these players fought courageously and played an exciting game throughout the final 18 holes, the final moment produced sadness for Waleed Zubair as according to the rules of the competition, Muhammad Leghari was declared winner because he had a better score over the last 36 holes. As a result thereof, while glory and cheers went to Muhammad Leghari, Waleed Zubair had to be content with the second slot. Ali Anwar of Gymkhana came third with a net score of 216 (69+74+73).
The gross section as predicted went to Waseem Rana of Karachi Defence Club as he won with an aggregate gross score of 217, 68 on the first day, 74 on the second day and 75 on the third day. His nearest contender Danyaal Jehangir put up a real fight but ultimately had to lose the first position in gross section by a single stroke. Danyaal Jehangir had an aggregate score of 218 as compared to Waseem Rana’s 217. Safdar Khan of Gujranwala club came third with a score of 222.
Other Results: Best gross rounds went to Nadeem Abbas, Saad Javed and M. Rehman and best net rounds went to Hamza Asif, Jamal Nasir Khan and Major Abid Raja. Ladies winners were Kara Alam (first net), Mrs. Samea Javed Ali (second net), Mrs. Ghazala Yasmin (1st Gross), Kashifa Zafar (2nd gross); Veterans net winners were Dr. Latif Chaudhry 1st Net, Col. Shamsuldin Gorraya 2nd Net, Maj. U. D. Najmi 1st Gross, Javed Zia 2nd Gross; Seniors section net winner was Maj. Shahid Izazullah, Dr. Asad Chauhdry 2nd Net, Javed A Khan First Gross and Rai Aziz Ullah second gross.
For good organisational support, Imran Saeed of Millat was complemented and so were Col. M. Shafi and M. Safdar of Gymkhana.
At the conclusion of the championship, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer gave away the prizes to winners where Mian Chairman Lahore Gymkhana Misbah Rahman, Convenor Golf Mian Ahsan Saeed, Captain golf Sardar Murad were also present. In his concluding address, Chairman Millat Tractors Sikandar Mustafa Khan promised to keep up promotion of golf through this prestigious event. He stated that this was the 18th time that Millat Tractors had sponsored this event. For Salman Taseer, this was a great day for he had completed a hat-trick of being the chief guest at the Governor’s Cup Golf Championship.
