Reigning champion Alvaro Quiros will face a powerful field littered with Major winners, Ryder Cup stars and up-and-coming talent when he returns to Doha Golf Club to defend his title at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy from January 28-31.
As well as a clutch of players from the Official World Golf Ranking, the big-hitting Spaniard will face two Major winners in the form of Todd Hamilton and Shaun Micheel, both of whom will be attempting to become the first American winner of the Mother of Pearl Trophy.
Now in its 13th year, the US$2.5million tournament made international headlines in 2009 when its event rating – based on the Official World Golf Ranking of the entire field – was the highest since records began of any regular European Tour event, excluding the Majors, World Golf Championship events and the flagship BMW PGA Championship.
“Last year saw a landmark achievement not only for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, but also for golf in the Middle East,” said Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hassan Al Nuaimi.
“To have our tournament rating higher than any other event ever staged in the region was a proud moment for the QGA, the Qatar Olympic Committee and Commercialbank. While we will not know our event rating for 2010 until the first ball is played on January 28, I am confident we have again gathered a field which will be as strong as that of 12 months ago.”
Among the big names fighting it out for Quiros’ crown are Europe’s Number One and World Number Four Lee Westwood, former champions Retief Goosen and Henrik Stenson, World Number Eight Paul Casey, World Number Ten Kenny Perry, World Number Eleven Ian Poulter, World Number 12 Sergio Garcia and Colombian superstar Camilo Villegas.
“We are all also delighted to announce that 2003 US PGA champion Shaun Micheel and 2004 Open Champion Todd Hamilton will join Kenny Perry as debut American entries in the tournament,” added Al Nuaimi.
Hamilton, Micheel and Perry will follow in the spike marks of fellow US stars Chris DiMarco, Boo Weekley, Scott Verplank and Brandt Snedeker, who have all attempted to become the first American winner of the event.
“The fact that so many players from the US PGA Tour have chosen to play in Doha is a tribute to the efforts of both the QGA and the QOC, and they should be congratulated for continuing to develop this event all over the world,” said Andrew Stevens, Group CEO of title sponsors Commercialbank. “It also underlines the quality of this magnificent golf course and the unique challenge it provides on what is a fast-developing area of the world golfing map.”
In all, 126 players will take to the 7,388-yard desert course chasing one of the most prestigious titles on The 2010 European Tour Schedule, as well as a first prize of $416,660.
“The tournament has enjoyed incredible growth since 1998, and today stands alone as one of the biggest sporting events in the country,” added Stevens. “Of course, a huge reason for this success is the continued encouragement, direction and vision of HH The Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and The Heir apparent HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, for which we are hugely grateful.
“Qatar has chosen to use sporting properties as a method of international promotion of the country’s incredible leisure facilities, business infrastructure and commercial dynamism. To do it we need strong business partners, so I was delighted those partnerships were rewarded with recognition at the recent Arabian Sponsorship Awards. It is thoroughly deserved by everyone involved, and I thank our fellow sponsors for making it possible.”
Speaking on behalf of the presenting sponsors, Adel Ahmed Albuainain, General Manager of Dolphin Energy Qatar, said: “Dolphin Energy is delighted to be the Presenting Sponsor of this prestigious tournament. Dolphin’s support, along with that of the other sponsors and together with the skills of the organisers, will ensure the Qatar Masters continues to build a profile and reputation which is richly deserved.
“I would like to convey my congratulations to Commercialbank, the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee for their commitment and dedication in making this event a success.”
The 2010 Commercialbank Qatar Masters Presented by Dolphin Energy will get underway with the Pro-Am on January 27, before 126 golfers take to the course for the tournament itself from January 28-31 with entrance once again free of charge to the public.
“I’m sure the players will enjoy a golf course in immaculate condition,” said Tournament Manager and Doha Golf Club General Manager Chris Myers.
“With the unique challenge of the desert wind and a requirement for precise shot-making, the course provides a test unlike anything else faced by the players on the Middle East ‘Desert Swing’. The difficulty of the test they face is underlined by the fact that only one player has managed to win the title twice in 12 years of competition.”
