FROM LEFT: DP World Tour Tournament Director, Mikael Erikkson, QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Naimi, QGA President Hassan Al Naimi, Sponsorship and Events Manager Ashjan Al Khalaf, QGA Board Member Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi, DGC General Manager Gary McGlinchey and QGA Technical Director Mike Shoueiry at a press conference yesterday.
The silver jubilee edition of the $2m Commercial Bank Qatar Masters begins tomorrow, with a strong field eyeing top honours at the picturesque Doha Golf Club (DGC).
A total of 144 golfers including 140 professionals and four amateurs will be in action in the DP World Tour – formerly known as the European Tour – event for the first time following renovation at DGC.
The tournament is returning to the venue dubbed as “Heart of Qatar Masters” by organisers after two years due to renovation work of the course. Education City Golf Club (ECGC) hosted the 2020 and 2021 editions of the tournament, which is being organised by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) since 1998.
Given the windy conditions forecast during the tournament days, golfers battling for the iconic “Mother of Pearl” trophy are expected to face tough challenge at the new-look DGC that has four greens redesigned.
Frenchman Antoine Rozner, who won at the ECGC last year, will defend the title, with Jorge Campillio, Chris Wood, Justin Harding and Eddie Pepperell being the other former Qatar Masters champions competing this weekend.
“It’s going to be an exciting action in presence of elite golfers as Qatar Masters returns to its home,” QGA President Hassan Al Naimi told a press conference yesterday.
“As we celebrate hosting the 25th edition of Qatar Masters, I want to thank [Qatar Olympic Committee President] His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and title sponsors Commercial Bank for their continued support,” he added.
Meanwhile, DGC General Manager Gary McGlinchey was expecting a “tough test” for the golfers in the next four days.
“We have a strong field competing in this event. We’ve reconstructed all 18 holes with four new greens being redesigned differently. If the greens are cut to become faster and given the windy weather forecast over the next few days, the players are in for a tough test,” he said.
DP World Tour Tournament Director Mikael Erikkson was impressed with the renovation work at DGC, expecting “drama” at the world class venue.
“QGA has done a good job. The work being done is fabulous. The golf course is in great condition and everybody is happy to return here. Keeping the ball on fairways will be the key. The course is playing firm and there’s a lot of rough. With the wind coming up, we expect some drama out there,” he said before agreeing to McGlinchey, who predicted 9-under par could be a winning score.
Al Shahrani, Al Kaabi to represent Qatar
Meanwhile, QGA General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Naimi said two Qatari golfers will be among the four amateurs, who will take part in Qatar Masters.
“Saleh Al Kaabi and Abdulrahman Al Shahrani will be the Qatari golfers to participate in the tournament,” he said.
Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Salhab and Denmark’s Mikkel Mathiesen, who won the Qatar Open Amateur Championship at the same venue in January, are the other amateur golfers participating on wild cards.
