Khushal Khan led the opening day round with his four under net 68 over 18 holes of the 54-holes 3rd Asghar Khan Memorial National Amateur Golf Championship which got under way here at lush green PAF Golf Course on Friday. Air Vice Marshal Sarfaraz Khan, Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command, was the chief guest on this occasion who formally inaugurated the Championship in which a total of 150 golfers in 12 and below, HCP 13-18, Senior Amnateur, Veteran, Ladies, Boys Under-14 and Under-17 are competing in the Championship.
Khushal Khan, a promising golfer, carded par 36 at front nine and one under par 35, at back nine with four birdies and a bogey at Hole No. 16 par-3. Khushal Khan, a four Handicapper, played well and hit all regulations with his superb long drives. Another known Amateur Inayat Ullah Yousafzai carded a two under Net 70. He scored a gross 75, three over par with 37, one over par, at front nine and two over par 38 at front nine including three birdies and missed strokes at Holes No. 1, 2, 5, 9 and 15.
Squander Leader Ihsan Ilahi carded a two under Net 70. The most promising round was played by Shayan Yousafzai who carded seven under 65 in HCP 13-18. To pay rich tribute to late Asghar Khan, a former Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force legendary, the Championship, which is an annual feature of the golfing calendar of Pakistan Golf Federation, leading amateur golfers of the country including golfers of the national teams are taking part.
Member Pakistan National team Taimur Naseer, who is also Pakistan No. 1, is there giving tough time to the golfers with other golfers comprising Ghazangar Mehmood, Inayat Ullah Yousafzai, Pervez Khan, Asfandiyar, former national team member Tariq Mehmood, Rehmat Ullah, Ehsan Elahi etc. The Championship carries attractive utility prizes with a Car for the Hole-in-One. The Championship is aimed at to pay tribute to late Asghar Khan, who become the youngest Chief of the Air Staff and was a legendary of the Pakistan Air Force. Late Asghar Khan, rendered unmatched services for the motherland and that is why the Championship is named after late Asghar Khan.
The three-day mega event is being played over 54 holes with each player playing 18 holes each day with the main round will be played on Handicap 12 and below. Various categories of the Championship comprising HCP 13-18 include Senior Amateur, Ladies, Veterans and Boys Under-14 and Under-17. The main attraction of the event is a Suzuki Cultus for the HOLE-IN-ONE for those who make a Hole-in-One at Hole No. 7, Par-3.