ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Mohammad Munir of the PTCL will be in line to capture his record fourth consecutive professionals’ top prize in the 25th President of Pakistan Gold Medal Golf Championship starting at the Islamabad Golf Club on Friday.

The championship carries prize money of Rs500,000 in the professionals and senior professionals’ categories while winner of the main amateurs’ category will be awarded the title trophy.

Winner of the professional first prize for the last three years, Munir will be eyeing the record of landing the professionals’ title for the fourth time in a row.

Nearly 300 entries have been received for the five events of the championship, which is unusual for the month of October, while greens and fairways are also in excellent condition, said the Secretary of Islamabad Golf Club, Shahab H. Hashmi.

Shaukat Mahmood will defend his amateurs’ title while Ami Qin is the reigning ladies champion.

Both professionals and amateurs’ events will be played over 54 holes each while those of ladies and senior amateurs’ over 36 holes each. Senior professionals will play over 18 holes.

Shahab said Ghulam Nabi had won the professionals’ category in 1981 at the inaugural edition of the tournament which went on to become one of the most significant competitions of the country.—APP