Omar Khalid becomes youngest-ever National Amateur Golf 2021 Champion
The 16-year-old became the youngest-ever winner of the National Amateur Golf Championship with one of the best scores in the tournament’s 60-year history.
The 60th edition of National Amateur Golf Championship 2021 concluded successfully at the Karachi Golf Club, Karachi.
The 16-year-old Omer became the youngest-ever winner of the National Amateur Golf Championship with one of the best scores in the tournament’s 60-year history.
Omer hogged the limelight with a breakthrough performance, he struck five birdies over the first nine holes, well on course towards beating the tournament’s record score for a round if he could repeat the same performance on the back nine, before eventually finishing with a 70 for an aggregate of four-over 292 over four rounds.
“After the front nine, I was able to relax a little because I’d built up quite a sizeable lead,” Omar told Dawn afterwards.
Nearest rival Umer Khokhar, the Pakistan number one, was already struggling and had fallen 10 shots behind after the front nine. Omar really was head and shoulders above the rest.
“I started the day wanting to play safe and protecting the lead I had,” added Omar. “I just wanted to focus on my game without looking elsewhere.”
Umer’s 80 saw him finish in a tie for fifth alongside Mansoor Teli (75) and Salman Khan (77), 11 shots behind Omar.
Ralfay Raja, who was alongside Umer at the start of the second round, ended in second place after he shot a 74 to finish on 297, two strokes ahead of Saim Shazli (72).
Qasim Ali Khan (73) and Salman Jahangir (75) tied for fourth at 303.
Elsewhere, Col Rustam Ali Chattha won the senior amateurs’ contest as he maintained his hold on top spot at the leaderboard over the three rounds.
Col Rustam shot a 71 for an aggregate of 224, as he finished eight shots ahead of Lt Col Asif Mehdi (75) and 10 ahead of third-placed Azhar Abbas (78).
Rimsha Ijaz took the ladies’ crown after winning the three-round contest with a score of 227. Her final round of 81 saw her finish seven strokes ahead of Ghazala Yasmin (78) while her sister Parkha (75) ended in joint-third at 236 with Humna Amjad (77).
The youngster, who idolises Rory McIlroy, started playing golf five years ago and is now looking ahead towards eventually turning professional.
Source: Dawn
