KARACHI, Jan 16: Karachi Golf Club (KGC), the venue for the US$300,000 Asian Tour Pakistan Open golf championship for the second year running, is bustling with golfers from around the globe as the 72-hole competition tees off on Thursday.

A number of foreign players and APGA officials have already reached the city for the Pakistan Open which serves as curtain raiser for the 2007 golf season with an enhancement of US$100,000 in prize money from last year.

Defending champion Chris Rodgers of England, who won his maiden title at the same course last year, has already arrived here to defend the crown.

He made his presence felt when he featured in the 18-hole pro-am team contest at the KGC on Tuesday.

“I had a bit of a break, left the clubs in the closet for quite a while. Today’s pro-am is the first time I have played on course since the season-ending tournament last month,” Rodgers who is currently based in Singapore said in a statement.

“Returning to Pakistan is great. A lot of people were patting me on the back saying good luck again this year. It’s a wonderful feeling and that is what people strive for,” he added.

He sounds optimistic as he battles the elite field of players that include India’s Amandeep Johl, who finished joint second last year, compatriot Gaurav Ghei, Qualifying School top finisher Ben Leong of Malaysia and Australia’s Brad Kennedy.

According to Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) secretary, Taimur Hassan, hosts Pakistan will be represented by 29 golfers including top 10 who got direct entry. According to format, others who were also directly placed in the main round include winners of the last two years Pakistan Open, any tournament winner from last year’s PGF calendar and those who recently featured in recognised profession tour.

Country’s top ranked golfer Muhammad Munir who finished joint fourth last year will spearhead Pakistan in the contest.

Meanwhile, the team led by Joakim Renstrom (Sweden) with a score of 57 won the 18-hole pro-am tournament. The three amateur members of the team were Hussain Islam, Ghufran Ghani and Irfan Ghani.

The PGF Tuesday night hosted a dinner in honour of participants and officials at Bagh-i-Jinnah.

“The course is in good shape and we are looking forward to an exciting competition over the next few days,” Taimur said on Tuesday.