Vivek Anand wins 9th Faldo Series Pakistan

Karachi’s Vivek Anand won the overall title as Omar Khalid (boys’ under-16), Damil Ataullah (under-18), Aanya Farooq (girls under-21) and Humna Amjad (under-16) reigned supreme in the 9th Faldo Series Pakistan at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club on Sunday.

Through their victories, Vivek, Omar, Damil, Aanya and Humna have qualified to represent Pakistan at the Faldo Series Asian Grand Finals to be held in Vietnam in March this year.

Boys under-16 category was the most riveting contest on the final day as Omar Khalid took the victory by two strokes (aggregate of 311 over 4 days).

Omar began the final round with a one-shot lead against Yashal Shah. He increased his lead to three strokes at the turn with back-to-back birdies on holes 5 and 6. However, Yashal kept trying his best and was able to reduce the lead on the par-3 14th hole where Omar had a double bogey. On the last three holes, Omar managed to retain his two-shot advantage and sealed victory with pars on 17th and 18th holes. 

Meanwhile, Vivek Anand was helped in the final round when his chief rival Ralfe’e Raja imploded when it mattered most. Raja, one of the favourites for the under-21 title, went terribly wayward on the par-3 third, hitting three balls in the water hazard to finish with a nine. He later made three birdies but was too late against a consistent Vivek. 

In the under-18 category, Damil, a former under-16 champion, comfortably won the title by eight strokes after most of his closest rivals choked in the final round. 

In the girls under-16 event, national champion Humna Amjad displayed nerves of steel to beat Daniah Syed by six strokes. In the girls under-21 category, Aanya Farooq comfortably defeated Aamna Amjad, the only other player in the category. 

The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony where Asad I.A Khan, President Sindh Golf Association (SGA) was the chief guest. Also present at the occasion were Lt Col Zahid Iqbal, Secretary SGA, Humera Khalid and Salman Abbasi of PGF. 

The Pakistan leg of the Faldo Series served as national trials for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Finals to be held at the Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Danang, Vietnam from March 4-6. 

Following are the final results: 

Boys Under-16: Omar Khalid (311), Yashal Shah (313). 

Boys under-18: Damil Ataullah (302), Waleed Chachar (310)

Girls under-16: Humna Amjad (305), Daniah Syed (311)

Girls under-21: Aanya Farooq (310), Aamna Amjad (348)

Boys under-21: Vivek Anand (298), Ralfe’e Raja (306)