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**truebluefan** · 01-09-2008, 11:47 PM

Doha G.C. Doha, Qatar

**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 03:25 PM

Spain’s Sergio Garcia has confirmed he will compete in the 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club from January 24-27.

Few regions in the world can match the Arabian Gulf countries in terms of golf investment and development with Garcia himself even involved in designing a golf course in the region. But it is the Spaniard’s talent with a club in his hands and not as a golfing architect that will again be put to the test over the challenging 7,374-yard course in the Qatari capital of Doha.

The World Number 13 returns to Qatar having been one of the star turns at the tournament in 2007. And while his top 20 finish included a stunning 67 on the final day, he finished adrift of champion Retief Goosen.

“Retief played very well in Doha last year and fully deserved to win the tournament,” said Garcia. “But I enjoyed the course itself as well as the warmth and knowledge of the galleries. The Middle East is certainly a region that has shown commitment to the development of our sport so I am more than happy to be returning to Doha.”

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**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 03:27 PM

Six years after claiming the prestigious Mother of Pearl trophy, European Tour Member Adam Scott will make a long-awaited return to Qatar when he lines up in the 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club from January 24-27.

“It’s been a long time since I won in Qatar back in 2002 and a lot has happened to me since then but I am delighted to be heading back to Doha for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters,” said the 27 year-old Australian, currently Number Six on the Official World Golf Ranking.

For Scott it is a chance to get to grips once again with the challenging 7,374 yard Doha Golf Club where in 2002 he stunned the field with rounds of 67-66-69-67 for a 19 under par total of 269. It was a powerful performance that saw him win by six shots from England’s Nick Dougherty and Frenchman Jean Francois Remesy to claim his second title on The European Tour International Schedule.

Since then he has gone on to win some of golf’s biggest titles including the 2004 Players Championship at Sawgrass on the US PGA Tour in 2004.

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**truebluefan** · 01-14-2008, 03:28 PM

Retief GOOSEN won in 2007 a cool € 1,706,653

**truebluefan** · 01-21-2008, 11:04 AM

Following ten years of remarkable growth, the 2008 Commercial bank Qatar Masters is set to launch an exciting new decade of golf in the booming Gulf state, event officials announced yesterday at Doha Golf Club.

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**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 09:46 PM

Adam Scott will continue his love affair with The European Tour when he headlines the strongest field the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy has witnessed in this, its 11th season.

The World Number Eight is one of ten players from the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking who will tee up at the Doha Golf Club and the 27 year old Australian admitted he was very much looking forward to returning to the venue where the world of golf first sat up and took notice of his exceptional talent.

Although his maiden European Tour success came in the 2001 Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, it was his stunning six shot victory in the 2002 Qatar Masters which proved the catalyst for the Australian to begin his climb towards golf’s upper echelons, an ascent which included a further three European Tour titles.

“It has been a long time since I won back in 2002 and a lot has happened to me since then but I am delighted to now be heading back to Qatar,” said Scott, who warmed up for his return with a top 25 finish in last week’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

“The European Tour gave me a chance when I was a young kid turning professional and they extended a lot of invitations to me. Luckily I was able to take advantage of them and became a member of the Tour before playing in America – so there is a very strong bond there for me.

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**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 09:47 PM

Defending champion Retief Goosen has been forced to withdraw from the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy suffering from an eye injury. He has been replaced by Sweden’s Henrik Nystrom.

Goosen underwent corrective laser surgery ten days ago and travelled to Qatar intending to defend his title. However during practice on Tuesday, his vision in one eye began to blur. He immediately travelled to Dubai for further treatment yesterday afternoon. He returned in the evening and last night still hoped to be able to compete. Unfortunately he is still having problems with his vision and has reluctantly had to withdraw from the tournament.

Goosen said: “I am obviously very sad that I am unable to defend my title. I came all this way to play but unfortunately the eye is causing a problem. I thought it would come good but it hasn’t. I went to Dubai yesterday and the advice was to go back to London for treatment.

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**truebluefan** · 01-23-2008, 09:48 PM

Spain’s Sergio Garcia is looking to shake off his winter rust and make a flying start to his year when he tees up in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy on Thursday.

Garcia, the World Number 12 and one of nine players in the field from the top 25 in the Official World Golf Rankings, is making his first appearance of 2008 after a winter break hoping to rekindle the memories of his a final round of 67 last year on his return to Doha Golf Club.

“I am still trying to get some rhythm and I’m a little rusty but I am looking forward to getting some good momentum and a good sensation going forward,” he said. “I have been practising hard on every part of my game trying to get ready.”

Garcia has put the disappointment of losing out to Padraig Harrington in The Open Championship at Carnoustie last year behind him and once again is targeting Major Championship success this year.

“I am looking forward to the year,” he commented. “I saw some nice things last year so hopefully I can get comfortable and see if I can win a Major. That’s my goal. The Open last year was unfortunate but it was a good experience for me. The whole week was a good learning experience. It is just a matter of keep working on it, giving myself chances and I know they will come.”

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**truebluefan** · 01-26-2008, 01:00 PM

Lee Westwood’s hot streak continued with an opening five under par 67 to share the early first round lead with South African Anton Haig in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy.

Westwood, who took over pole position on The European Tour Order of Merit with last week’s share of second place in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, made five birdies in a flawless display at Doha Golf Club.

Haig, who burst onto the scene with his victory in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand last year as an Affiliate Member, set the early pace and reached six under par before three putting the ninth, his final hole, from 70 feet.

But he was quickly chased down by Westwood, who has enjoyed ten top tens in his last 11 events.

“My confidence is good obviously,” said Westwood. “ I think ten top tens in the last 11 events, so, can't help but be confident. You're always a bit mindful when you have a long break, but in the middle of that long break, I finished fourth in Tiger's event and last week came out and started slowly, felt a little rusty especially on the greens but got it going on Saturday and got into the tournament and had a chance on Sunday.”

Joint second in the HSBC Champions, where he lost out in a play-off to Phil Mickelson, and the same finishing position last week have given him a flying start to his 2008 campaign.

“I'm usually a slow starter,” admitted Westwood. “It's all to do with my fitness. I usually come out a bit lethargic and the muscles not really working, but I do a lot in the gym with the muscles on the golf swing and feel very strong and everything feels all right.”

Haig has struggled to find the form which brought him his maiden victory last season but has come out this year with a fresh approach and with his coach, Jamie Cough, accompanying him.

“It's all about confidence this, game, 90 per cent in the head, that's what I was told, and I agree with that,” he commented. “It's a tough struggle out there, especially with the conditions like they are with the wind and there are a lot of good players out there. I've got a long way to go still but I am just really looking forward to playing well again.”

Swede Henrik Stenson, the 2006 champion at Doha GC, compatriot Johan Edfors, England’s Paul Broadhurst and Germany’s Marcel Siem all shot opening 69s to lie two shots off the early lead.

**truebluefan** · 01-26-2008, 01:01 PM

Lee Westwood, the new leader of the Order of Merit, and Anton Haig share the first round lead in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy after defying a strong wind with opening rounds of five under par 67.

Englishman Westwood is enjoying a hot streak having finished joint runner-up in his first two events of the 2008 season and that showed no signs of fading with a flawless display at Doha Golf Club.

Haig, who burst onto the scene with his victory in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand last year as an Affiliate Member, set the early pace and reached six under par before three putting the ninth, his final hole, from 70 feet.

But the young South African was quickly chased down by Westwood, who won twice last year and finished shared second place last week in Abu Dhabi to move to the top of The European Tour Order of Merit.

The target was set on a blustery opening morning in Qatar and the afternoon starters were unable to catch them in the testing conditions. Adam Scott and Sergio Garcia, the two highest ranked players in the field at eighth and 12th in the world respectively, had chances on the last to move within a stroke of the lead but both missed putts from within eight feet to lie in a seven-way tie for third place two shots back.

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