January 19, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 18, 1426

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KARACHI, Jan 18: Marcus Both of Australia, who ended the 2005 Asian Tour circuit among top 10, starts as favourite when the prestigious US $200,000 Pakistan Open tees off at the Karachi Golf Club on Thursday at 7.20 am.

Since turning pro in 2003, Marcus, 26, has improved by leaps and bounds and will be a treat to watch for the golfing fraternity in the 72-hole competition which concludes on Jan 22. Eighteen holes will be played each day.

The Asian Tour has returned to Pakistan after almost a decade and will see 144 golfers in action, including 41 from the host country. According to PGF media coordinator, Khwaja Pervaiz Saeed, all the foreign players who would be vying for honours have reached here.

Besides the hosts, foreign players from India, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Germany, England, Scotland, Singapore, Ecuador, Switzerland, South Africa, Myanmar, Sweden, Korea, Wales, and Holland are taking part in the event.

According to prize money break-up, the winner would receive US $31,700 while the runner-up will take home US $21,700. The prize money will be distributed among top 65 with the last getting a purse of US $540.

Ace Pakistani golfers Muhammad Munir, Shabbir Iqbal, Imdad Hussain and Taimur Hussain have bright prospects of attaining a respectable position.

The 28-year-old Munir of Islamabad had recently excelled by pocketing three titles — Chief of the Army Staff, Gujranwala Open and Punjab Open in a row.

With two Pakistan Open titles under his belt, Shabbir has a bright chance to prove his mettle.

The lovers of the game are looking forward to a fine performance from Imdad Hussain, having crowned the Open title thrice in 1993, 96 and 98. What makes it more significant for him is the fact that his father, the late Mahmood Hussain, had won five titles including two as an amateur and three as a pro from 1968 to 73. Imdad’s younger brother, Taimur Hussain, is also one of the contenders in the event.

In the absence of top Indian golfers, Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur, the Indian challenge will come from Gaurav Ghei, Harmeet Singh and Vikrant Chopra.

The participants had a practice round on Wednesday as the organisers were busy in arrangements.

Thailand’s Wanchai Meechai is the tournament director. A three-member referee panel comprising Jittisak Tamprasert (Thailand), Thomas Leong (Malaysia) and Sanpath Chan (India) will supervise the event.