Qatar Daily News

Ernie Els is hoping the use of a new putter will help him claim a fourth Dubai Desert Classic victory this weekend.

The South African has an envious record in the tournament, having clinched a top-three finish in each of the last seven years, although victory has narrowly escaped his clutches in the past two events.

And with Els slipping outside the top 10 in the world rankings on Monday, now would be a good time to record his first victory since the Honda Classic last March.

However, the 39-year-old has been struggling on the greens in recent times and is pinning his hopes on a new flat-stick in a bid to turn around his fortunes.
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World No. 2 Sergio Garcia leads an array of stars at the Qatar Masters beginning on Thursday but the focus will be on Australian Adam Scott who is hoping to win the title for the third time in as many appearances.

Former champions Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson and Retief Goosen have also joined the 120-man line-up, one of the best assembled for the Doha leg of the “Gulf Swing” which includes tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Garcia, who is hoping to become the World No. 1 before the injured Tiger Woods makes his comeback sometime this year, will be making his third consecutive appearance in Qatar at the 7,374-yard Doha Golf Club course.

The Spaniard has made huge strides over 2008 with victories in Europe as well as the United States, said Qatar Golf Association president Hassan al-Nuami.

“As a result of his phenomenally successful year, he has become the World No. 2 and a win here in Doha will get him even closer to top spot. We are delighted he has chosen to return to Qatar,” he added.
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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?

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