LAHORE, March 20: Defending champion Shahid Javed Khan, who as an amateur had stunned professionals last time by winning the All-Pakistan Garrison Open golf championship, will now appear to defend the title as a professional when it will tee off at the Lahore Garrison course on Monday.

Shahid playing a key role in Pakistan’s victory in the Saarc championship in Lahore last year had declared himself as a professional but so far failed to win any title.

He will be facing a long queue of 86 competitors appearing in the professional event including seasoned campaigners Mohammad Munir, Imdad Hussain, Shabbir Iqbal, Matloob Ahmed and Shafique Masih.

Besides professionals, 48 amateurs (handicap 12 and below), nine ladies, 30 seniors, eight senior professionals and 10 veterans will also vie in their respective categories, raising the total to 191 golfers.

Brig. Bajwa the chief organiser of the Lahore Garrison said at a press conference on Sunday that the course had really matured to hold the important event of the calendar.