Ewen Ferguson in action ahead of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club, yesterday. Pic: X/ @pumagolfuk
Doha, Qatar: For Ewen Ferguson the memorable title triumph at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last year was “just a surprise”. Returning to the Doha Golf Club, the Scot is now aiming for a repeat of victory for which he is “ready”.
Ferguson claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the picturesque course carding a two-under-par 70 in tough conditions, firing a spectacular chip-in eagle on the 16th and a birdie on the final hole.
“I didn’t think I was ready that early and then it all just happened quite quickly for me and now I feel really ready to be here and win,” said the defending champion as the 26th edition of Qatar Masters tees off today.
English professional Marcus Armitage captained his team to victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Pro-Am yesterday, the traditional curtain-raiser to the $3.75m event, which tees off at the Doha Golf Club today. The 26-year-old led his team featuring amateurs Martin Ncube, Panadda Manoleehakul and Andrew Dunlop to a medal score of -33 in the morning round.
“It’s all a mindset, isn’t it. My mindset is looking even further now, which back then it wasn’t,” said the 27-year-old, who is drawn alongside Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal and German Yannik Paul for the first two rounds.
Under hot conditions the course is expected to remain challenging for the competitors despite a change in month from March to October, with golfers displaying a better ball control in the wind likely to gain advantage.
But Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard, who is eyeing a good show in Doha as he targets the PGA Tour card, predicted scoring to be good in the weekend.
“I think the course is good. I mean the rough is up. You can get some very nasty lies, so I think you will need to hit it pretty straight off the tee, but I don’t think it is going to be too much of a low scoring week,” said the four-time DP World Tour winner.
“I think four rounds under par is good, especially if the wind picks up a little bit,” Hojgaard added.
In the evening round of the competition, German star Marcel Schneider led his team comprising amateurs Grubax Singh, Satnam Kaur to victory with a score of -35.
Spain’s Jorge Campillo, who clinched the 'Mother of Pearl' trophy at the Education City Golf Club in 2020, is hoping to be at his best this week.
“I won in Qatar at the other course but I also finished second in this course before. I have played well here and I have great memories in Qatar. I am playing not great and not bad too. I haven't been solid like I was in the first few months of the year but it hasn't been bad. Hopefully, I will be better this week. The golf course is really good, the best I've ever seen it,” he said.
The tournament offering increased prize money of $3.75m is crucial for golfers due to a change in schedule. It is the final counting event in the regular season with berths for Tour’s next season also at stake.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Sean Crocker of the USA will kick off the opening round action at 6am.
Inputs from DP World Tour
