L AHORE: Q asim Ali Khan posted a fine card of four-under-par-68 in the gross event to emerge as the first-day leader in the Punjab Amateur Golf Championship, which teed off here at the Lahore Garrison Greens Golf Course on Thursday.

Qasim is closely followed by Nouman Ilyas, Pakistan`s number one player who compiled an impressive round of gross 69 three under par, and Defence Raya`s Mohammad Abdullah Khan (gross 70, two under par).

Others who made their presence felt include Gymkhana`s Mohammad Shoaib (gross 73) and sharing this position with Shoaib is Saad Habib of the DHA.

Both Salman Jehangir and Ameer Khawaja are placed at gross 74 and look set to improve their overall scores over the next two rounds on Friday and Saturday.

The Punjab Jinnah Development Tour Match is also being held for second-tier professionals alongside the PunjabAmateur Golf Championship.

Top performers in this tour match at the end of the first round are Peshawar`s Shahid Khan with a score ofgross71, one under par.

Sharing the top position with him is Tahir Bashir of Lahore Garrison. Mohammad Sharif of the Karachi Golf Club and Gymkhana`s Kamran Khan are at gross 72 while Shahbaz Ali of Garrison is at 74.-Sports Reporter