GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS:DEFENDING CHAMPION Adam Scott will be looking to maintain his 100 per cent record at Doha Golf Club without any practice this week after his clubs were lost in transit from Hawaii.
The Australian will be up against the strongest field assembled for a regular European Tour event.
Last year Scott produced a scintillating course record 11-under-par 61 in the final round to claim a second Pearl trophy following his 2002 victory.
The world number 14 heads to Doha in form after finishing second behind Zach Johnson in the Sony Open in Hawaii last week.
However, his clubs failed to follow him on the 22-hour trip, meaning he was unable to take part in yesterday’s pro-am, and he was hoping they would arrive before this morning’s tee-time.
“I walked the course, it’s in great condition, a little more lush than last year but it was nice to get out there again,” Scott (28), said.
“There are a lot of good memories from the last time I went around it. It’s good to be back defending and keep this run going in Qatar.
“When I have been to Qatar I have played well and when I play well I generally drive the ball well, and I think you need to drive the ball well as it’s a lengthy course.
“The tee-shots suit my eye so I hit a lot of fairways which gives me a lot of chances, so if I can make some putts I am going to be up there.”
Scott was delighted with his putting in Hawaii although he was using a new, one-off custom putter which was also lost after leaving San Francisco.
A replacement set of clubs is also being sent from suppliers in Britain as a precaution, and with both sets expected to arrive in time, Scott remained upbeat and insists he is fresh despite his journey to the Middle East.
World number two Sergio Garcia headlines the strong line-up which contains 17 of the world’s top 50 and betters the field assembled at the 2002 Scottish Open.
Garcia is also confident about his chances following his eighth-place finish last week in Abu Dhabi, although the Spaniard is looking to continue his form from the weekend after struggling to fire over his opening two rounds.
“The field this week shows the strength of the European players,” he said. “When we used to have two or three Europeans in the top 10 in the world rankings, we now have five or six, so I think it’s great.
“It’s great for the tournament and it’s great for the tour, hopefully we will put on a good show this week.”
The 29-year-old claimed the world number two spot following his HSBC Champions win in November.
“I feel like my game is coming along and I am looking forward to getting off to a good start this week to have a good, solid chance of winning. I was pleased with the weekend last week, I wasn’t happy with the first few days, but I was able to find my game over the weekend and finish inside the top 10.”
The in-form Rory McIlroy heads a six-strong contingent of Irish players in the field, including Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy.
The Holywood teenager is joint fifth favourite, along with Lee Westwood and Retief Goosen, at 18 to 1 to claim his maiden professional title. Scott and Garcia are joint favourites at 9 to 1
American Ryder Cup player Boo Weekley, who recently took up European Tour membership, faces nine of the 12 Europeans he helped beat at Valhalla, including Abu Dhabi winner Paul Casey.
Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer and Africa Open winner Goosen also feature at the €1.9 million event.
And Henrik Stenson has welcomed the influx of American players on to the European Tour following the introduction of the lucrative Race to Dubai.
“It was definitely one of the thoughts when they launched the Race to Dubai, to try to attract stronger fields to tournaments and to the Tour in general,” said Stenson, the world number 11.
“Obviously the Race to Dubai has done that and I am delighted to see more of the American tour players coming over to play in Europe.”
Qatar Masters
Course: Doha GC.
Length: 7,388 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney: €1.9 million, €314,400 for the winner.
Field: Strong; 17 from world top-50.
Defending champion: Adam Scott. The Australian shot a course-record, 11-under-par 61 in the final round.
First played: Andrew Coltart won the inaugural tournament in 1998.
Most wins: Adam Scott (2). Oldest winner: Tony Johnstone, 44 and 313 days, 2001
On TV: Sky Sports 1, 8-10am, 12-2pm.
Weather: Clear, 200C.
Tee Times
FIRST ROUND
(Ire and Brit unless stated, times local)
Selected Times
1st hole One
07.15 – Paul McGinley, Richard Finch, Graeme Storm
07.55 – Peter Lawrie, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind), Pablo Martin (Spn)
11.05– Markus Brier (Aut), Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe), Damien McGrane
11.25– Michael Campbell (Nzl), Rory McIlroy, Rodney Pampling (Aus)
11.35– Soren Hansen (Den), Brandt Snedeker (US), Martin Kaymer (Ger)
11.45– Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spn), Colin Montgomerie, Adam Scott (Aus)
11.55– Paul Casey, Boo Weekley (US), Justin Rose
12.05– Danny Willett, Francesco Molinari (Ita), Peter Hanson (Swe)
12.15– Alexander Noren (Swe), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Nick Dougherty
10th hole
06.45– Gary Murphy, Phillip Archer, Emanuele Canonica (Ita)
07.05– Johan Edfors (Swe), David Howell, Bradley Dredge
07.15– Darren Clarke, Ross Fisher, Anders Hansen (Den)
07.25– Henrik Stenson (Swe), Aaron Baddeley (Aus), Sergio Garcia (Spn)
07.35– Robert Karlsson (Swe), Ernie Els (Rsa), Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind)
07.45– Oliver Wilson, Retief Goosen (Rsa), Lee Westwood
07.55– Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Paul Lawrie
08.05– Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Oliver Fisher, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe)
