Three-time Bermuda Open champion P.H.Horgan will defend his Gosling?s Invitational title at Belmont Hills Golf Club next week.

The former PGA Tour player is among an impressive list of 26 overseas professional golfers confirmed for this year?s 72-hole tournament beginning next Monday on the redesigned course where distance off the tee means little and accuracy with the short iron and putter everything.

Others making up a highly competitive field are last year?s runner-up Joe Rinker, regular visitors to the Island?s shores Ian Doig, Tim Conley, Bill Walsh and US senior tour player Delroy Cambridge.

Doig is a three-time winner of the former Belmont Invitational that was scrapped in 1999 when the Belmont Hotel was demolished and the course completely redesigned.

Bermuda?s hopes for success among the pro field will rest on the broad shoulders of Belmont touring pro and current Bermuda Open champion Michael Sims and 1992 Belmont winner Dwayne Pearman while Leroy Burch and Hav Trott will challenge for top honours among the amateur division.

Sims did not compete in last year?s inaugural event which saw Horgan win by three shots over Canadian Rinker and Conley controversially disqualified for ?signing an incorrect scorecard?, after a protest was lodged by playing partner Doig.

Next week?s field will consist of 85 golfers while tournament sponsors Gosling?s have pumped another $10,000 into the event, taking overall prize earnings to $50,000.

This year?s eventual winner will pocket $9,000, the runner-up $7,000 and the third place finisher $6,000, while amateurs will again compete for various gross and net prizes.

?We are very much looking forward to have another good tournament especially with Michael (Sims) back to challenge for Horgan?s title,? said tournament director Keith Cassidy.

?The golf should be very competitive and a real treat for the fans.?

This year?s event kicks off with a practice round and Skins Tournament on Sunday before shifting into high gear on Monday with the first round. Play will continue on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.