FROM LEFT: InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa General Manager Andreas Pfister, Qatar Golf Association (QGA) Deputy General Secretary Eng. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Muhannadi, QGA Board Member Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi and DGC General Manager Gary McGlinchey during a press conference.
Saleh Ali Al Kaabi will start among the favourites as the 37th edition of Qatar Open Golf Amateur Championship that tees off today is expected to see a tough fight for the title at Doha Golf Club (DGC).
The tournament once again has attracted a strong field of amateur golfers from across the world as a total of 126 players have signed in for the three-day event.
Qatar’s Al Kaabi finished third behind eventual champion Mikkel Mathiesen of Denmark and Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Salhab in the last year’s edition. The latter duo is not taking part in this year’s tournament.
The list of participating players includes 77 contestants of different nationalities, who play at different clubs in Qatar while the rest have travelled to Doha to take part in the event.
Qatar is fielding a total of nine players in the tournament also including Ali Al Shahrani, who became the first Qatari player to win the title in 35 years in 2021.
A strong battle is expected among the golfers as apart from the coveted trophy, the winners will confirm a berth in the prestigious Commercial Bank Qatar Masters that will be held from October 26 to 29 this year. Prizes for top 10 gross players are also up for grabs.
Qatar Golf Association (QGA) Deputy General Secretary Eng. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Muhannadi said preparation have been finalised to host the tournament, which is being held under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
Qatar's Saleh Ali Al Kaabi in action in this file photo.
“We received over 150 entries as many golfers showed keen interest in their participation but we had to restrict field to 126 players. We gave priority to the ones with lower handicaps,” Al Muhannadi told a pre-match press conference at DGC yesterday.
“We expect a close competition in presence of some very good golfers. Some of the amateurs, who participated in the Asian Tour’s International Series Qatar, are also featuring in the tournament. The prospect of Qatar Masters entry always takes the best out of golfers in this event,” he added.
Almost a fortnight ago, golfers braved strong winds at the course during the inaugural International Series Qatar but the weather is expected to better in the next three days.
“The weather is fine but the course will still be a test for the golfers. We are looking forward to a good action in the weekend,” General Manager Doha Golf Club Gary McGlinchey told reporters.
Meanwhile, Omar Khalid, who became Pakistan’s youngest ever national amateur champion in 2021, praised DGC facilities foreseeing a tough test in the tournament.
“Course is very windy and challenging, rocky desert and fescue on both sides of the fairway make accuracy a must. Practice facilities are top-notch with a huge putting green and range. Both the finishing holes 9 and 18 add to the challenge of closing out a good round,” the 18-year-old told reporters yesterday.
“Coming from Pakistan, I am used to the wind but the wind back home does not compare to that of Doha Golf Club. It will be a fun test of golfing skills and I am looking forward to the tournament,” said Omar, who represented Pakistan at the World Amateur Team Championship in Paris and Asia Pacific Amateur in Thailand, and is the only Pakistani golfer to have made the cut in any United States Golf Association (USGA) Championship.
