Karachi, Pakistan: Teenager Omar Khalid has created a slice of golfing history by becoming the youngest winner of the National Amateur Championship of Pakistan.

A 16-year-old O-Level student who won the Boys Under-16 title at last year’s Faldo Series Pakistan Championship, Omar fired a closing two-under-par 70 at the Karachi Golf Club to keep his pursuers comfortably at bay.

His four-round aggregate of four-over 292 was five shots ahead of runner-up Ralfay Raja.

The previous youngest winner of Pakistan’s national amateur championship was Taimur Hassan Amin, who claimed the first of his titles at the age of 17. Amin, who is the current Chairman of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, went on to win the National Amateur Championship of Pakistan on no fewer than 15 occasions.

Lieutenant General Mian Hilal Hussain, President of the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF), said Khalid’s victory was a good sign for golf in the country.

“The success of young Omar Khalid is proof of the fact that Pakistan’s golf is progressing and more and more youngsters are getting better at the game,” said Gen Hilal.

One stroke clear at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final day, Khalid was quickly into his stride in the final round, reeling off four birdies in the opening six holes and reaching the turn in five-under 31 to open up an unassailable eight-shot buffer at the top, enabling him to coast home.

Karachi-based Khalid said: “It’s great to win the National Championship. I had a dream final round. All the birdies in the initial holes took the pressure off me.”

Second-placed Raja and Umer Khokhar, the reigning Pakistan number one, praised Khalid.

Raja said: “You feel bad if you lose after playing badly. I played well but Omar was awesome. He played great golf and deserved to win. He is a youngster and I’m sure he has a very bright future.”

Khokhar, who had to settle for a share of sixth place, added: “He (Omar) didn’t give us a chance today. He was too good.”

Asad I.A. Khan, President of the Sindh Golf Association (SGA), said: “It’s great to see Omar creating history by winning the national championship at just 16.”

Lahore’s Rimsha Ijaz won the 54-hole ladies title while her sister Parkha Ijaz was third. Ghazala Yasmin took second place.

In the Senior category, Col Rustam Ali claimed top honours from Lt Col Asif Mehdi.