ISLAMABAD: Shabbir Iqbal gained the top spot amongst professionals while Najib Saqib remained the front-runner for the title trophy, on the opening day of the President of Pakistan Gold Medal Open Golf Championship here at the Islamabad Golf Club on Friday.

Shabbir Iqbal returned an impressive first-round card of five-under 67, surging three strokes ahead of Ansar Mehmood (two-under 70) and two shots clear of Rizwan Khan (one-under 71). In the amateurs-net category, which will decide the trophy, Najib Saqib tallied two-under 70 but faced tough competition from Azher Shah Bukhari and Hassan Zafar who were both at 71 each.

In Amateurs Gross, Maj Khushhal was the leader with 74, slipping ahead of Azher Shah Bukhari (75) and Tariq Mehmood (76). In Seniors Gross, Lt Col (r) M Safi led the pack with 84, followed by Lt Col (r) Zaheer (85) and M S Bajwa (86) while in Seniors Net, Lt Col Zaheer was first with 71 as Brig Sarfraz Khan carded 75 and M S Bajwa 76.