Mohammad Shabbir and Mohammad Munir are some of the top players competing in the Pakistan Open. -AFP/File Photo

KARACHI: The 41st edition of the Pakistan Open golf championship explodes into action at the Defence Authority Country and Golf Club from Thursday with around 100 professionals in the fray.

The event carries a lucrative purse of Rs3 million which will be great attraction for the professional golfers gathering here from all over the country.

Pakistan number one Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal will be leading the pack of golfers in the 72-hole event.

Other prominent golfers competing are Matloob Ahmed, Mohammad Munir, Mohammad Tariq, Shahid Javed Khan, Imdad Hussain, Mohammad Siddiq, Waheed Baloch, Amjad Yousuf and Mohammad Afsar.

The winner of the professional category will be grabbing around Rs525,000.

The runner-up will pocket Rs480,000 while the third-position holder will get Rs450,000.

Besides the professionals and amateur categories, senior professionals will also be battling for Rs500,000 prize money.

The details of the event were unveiled at a news conference at the venue of the event by Pakistan Golf Federation secretary Taimur Hussain.

Tournament director Mehmood Aziz and chief referee Mohammad Irfan were present on the occasion.

“The event will be a big test of skill, temperament and talent of the golfers to win the prestigious title,” the PGF secretary said.—APP