After winning the biggest title of his career at this month’s Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship, Dutch teenager Pierre Verlaar Jr is now preparing for the biggest tournament of his life at this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Runner-up at last year’s Qatar Open Amateur, the 18-year-old made amends earlier this month by shooting three straight rounds of 70 at Doha Golf Club for a six-under-par total of 210 and a three-stroke victory over local star Saleh al-Kaabi.
Verlaar—born in 1998, the year of the first Qatar Masters—is now excited to return to the famed course for Qatar’s long-standing European Tour showdown, which features the likes of Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Ernie Els as it celebrates its 20th edition.
“I’ve never played a European Tour event. I’ve never even played on the European Challenge Tour. I’ve played in some pro events like on the MENA Golf Tour, but it’s nothing like this,” said Verlaar, a Dutch national team player who has played golf full time since finishing school.
“I like the courses out here, in Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I’ve played a lot in this region, but I’m not sure what to expect at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. I’m aware of some of the previous champions like Branden Grace, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson,” he added.
With the winner of the Qatar Open earning a place at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Verlaar looked set to book his place against the European Tour stars one year ago when he held a two-shot lead with the finishing line in sight, but eventually lost out to Rayhan Thomas, the Dubai-based Indian teenager.
“I was two shots clear on 17 and then made a double bogey. I only had to play par, par to win, but I didn’t, and then Rayhan made a birdie in the playoff to win,” said Verlaar, who’s attached to The Dutch golf club. “It felt like a stupid way to finish. However, it was a well run tournament and I was thinking I had to come back this year to try again. It was like unfinished business so it felt great to win.”
Verlaar, who idolises Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, said he was especially pleased to better his 2016 score by nine strokes as he continues to build on his dream of becoming a European Tour player.
“I was happy with my scores at the Qatar Open as they were really consistent,” said Verlaar, whose best friend Dario Antonisse will be caddying for him this week. “I was two behind after the first day, led after the second round and then made little mistakes on the last day, but I made a lot of birdies. I hope I can keep playing well this week.”