Stunning Comeback Seals Championship for Habib
KARACHI – In a remarkable display of resilience and skill, Saad Habib Malik staged a dramatic comeback to win the 64th Pakistan Amateur Golf Championship, held from September 4 to 7 at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club in Karachi. The prestigious four-day tournament brought together top amateur golfers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, offering valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points and culminating in a thrilling final day.
Habib’s path to victory was anything but easy. After a disappointing second round that saw him fall to 15th place, marred by a costly error on the 8th hole, the 25-year-old golfer slowly fought his way back into contention. A composed third round score of 73 allowed him to climb into sixth place, setting the stage for a final-round charge.
On the last day, Habib delivered a stunning 4-under-par 68 — his best performance of the week — highlighted by six birdies and just two bogeys. His late surge was capped by three consecutive birdies on the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, bringing his total to 294 (+6) and earning him a one-shot victory over Sri Lanka’s Danushan Kanas Kumar.
International Talent and Local Excellence on Display
The event featured high-level competition from across South Asia. Danushan Kanas Kumar of Sri Lanka, who had a solid start, struggled in the final round with five bogeys and finished second with a score of 295 (+7). Pakistan’s Shahmeer Maajid secured third place at 297 (+9), while third-round leader Numan Ilyas faded to fourth after carding eight bogeys in the final round. Qasim Ali Khan completed the top five with 299 (+11).
In the women’s division, Anya Faruq emerged as the champion, outpacing Anna James Gill. The Army team clinched the men’s team title, while the Federal Golf Association (FGA) took home the senior men’s title. Pakistan A, comprising Saad Habib and Numan Ilyas, also brought home the Jeyewardene Trophy in the international team category — a significant win against regional rivals.
The championship concluded with a vibrant awards ceremony, where Pakistan Golf Federation President Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Qazi Muhammad Ikram praised Saad Habib’s performance, calling it “a proud moment for Pakistan’s golfing community.”
Already a runner-up at the Dallas Amateur Championship earlier this year, Habib’s triumph in Karachi further cements his status as one of Pakistan’s most promising young golfers.
