RAWALPINDI, March 21: The Prime Minister Gold Medal Open golf championship, the premier golf event of the country, will get underway at Rawalpindi Golf Course from Thursday. The championship will feature the categories of professionals, senior professionals, amateur, senior amateur and subsidiaries, according to the secretary of Rawalpindi Golf Club, Asad Mehmud.

Cash prizes worth Rs.400,000 will be at stake for professionals and senior professionals categories.

Matloob Ahmed will defend his professionals title while Asad Mehmud is the reigning champion of the main title trophy which is awarded on the basis of amateur net scores.

He said nearly 350 entries were expected in all the categories to be contested during the tournament.

The other defending champions in the tournament are Mohammad Safi (senior amateurs), Faqiha Ambreen (ladies) and Shaukat Ali (senior professionals).

The professionals and main amateur categories will be contested over 54 holes, beginning on Friday and concluding on Sunday.—APP