LAHORE, Sept 28: Fresh from a stunning victory in Rachna Open last week, Muhammad Munir of Islamabad will defend his title in the 26th Punjab Open golf championship which tees off at the Lahore Gymkhana course from Friday.

Overall, 179 golfers including professionals (80), senior professionals (20), amateur (69) and ladies (10) are taking part in the three-day event.

Punjab Golf Association (PGA) secretary Rana Zulifqar said at a press conference on Wednesday that a total cash prize of Rs500,000, biggest ever money, was being offered to the professionals besides a car for hole-in-one.

The winners, he said would receive Rs82,400 as against of Rs50,000 given last year.

Professionals, who are registered with the Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) would play in three-day event.

The senior professional will take part in two-day event (Sept 30 and Oct 1).

The amateur, having 12 or below handicap (Sept 30 to Oct 2), ladies, having handicap 36 and below (Oct 1 and 2) will compete.

The prominent professionals, besides Munir, taking part are Muhammad Shabbir, Abbas Ali, Imdad Hussain, Matloob Ahmed, Mohammad Sajid, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Nazir, Talib Hussain and M. Siddique.

Top amateurs are Ansar Mehmood, Waseem Rana, Moeed Yousuf, Mohammad Safdar, Imran Ahmed and Lt. Col. Asif Mehdi.