Qatar Masters
Another high-quality field has assembled in Qatar, as the European Tour remains in the Middle East for the second of three consecutive lucrative events.
This week’s Qatar Masters has a total prize fund of $2.5 million, of which the winner will collect in excess of $400k.
The 12-year-old Doha course has hosted every Qatar Masters since the tournament began in 1998 and it usually provides a stiff test for the players.
Although the course is not particularly long, it is certainly no push over thanks to the strong prevailing wind that blows here much of the time.
So who’s made the journey this week?
Ernie Els: The Big Easy returns to a venue where he emerged victorious four years ago.
Sergio Garcia: The highest-ranked player teeing-up. Has played at Doha three times – including once as an amateur – and has a best finish of tied-seventh.
Charl Schwartzel: The in-form South African posted a top-three finish in Qatar last year.
Adam Scott: The defending champion. The 28-year-old Australian has only played in the tournament twice but on both occasions collected the winner’s trophy – in 2002 and 2008.
Henrik Stenson: In the last four years at Doha, the Swede has won once and finished second twice. His last 22 rounds over the course average 69.64. However, he did miss the cut in Abu Dhabi last week.
Lee Westwood: Opens his 2009 account hoping to build on his consistent form of last season that produced plenty of cash and top-10 finishes but no victory. Was fifth in Doha last January.
