Mark Mouland will return to defend his Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship title next month.

The European Senior Tour professional won last year’s tournament at Turtle Hill Golf Club by one shot ahead of Bermuda’s Michael Sims and Camiko Smith.

Mouland and Smith are likely to be among the favourites again this time around, and will spend a week competing on the golf course as both have signed up for the Bermuda Open which precedes the Grey Goose event.

Other overseas professionals who have committed to play in both events are Gordon Brand Jr, the former Europe Ryder Cup player, and Kent Fukushima, of Canada, who is no stranger to the Island and won the Gosling’s Invitational in 2013.

Bermuda Golf Association are expecting more interest in the Open, which is to be played at Port Royal Golf Course, given its proximity to the Grey Goose tournament, and have a guaranteed minimum prize fund of $20,000, although they expect that to grow in the weeks leading up to the tournament, which runs from March 23 to 26.

The BGA have made some slight changes to the tournament this time around, with professionals and amateurs playing in different flights, and off different tees.

The professionals will play from the black tees, with a maximum handicap index of 8.5 allowed in the championship flight.

Amateurs, meanwhile, will be allowed an index of 15.1, and will play off the blue tees in the first flight.

The entry fee for professionals is $500, amateurs pay $250, and Port Royal members will be charged $175.

n Golfers planning on playing in the Grey Goose are encouraged to sign up for the BGA’s Monthly Medal, which will be played at Turtle Hill next Saturday.

Any member of a golf club in Bermuda is eligible to play in the event.