Plenty at stake for golfers at Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

There’s a lot on the line for a number of players at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the last ‘regular’ event of the 2023 DP World Tour season. The 26th edition of the Qatar Masters, which will be held from tomorrow till October 29 at the Doha Golf Club (DGC), will offer players the final opportunity to secure their playing privileges for the 2024 campaign via the Race to Dubai Ranking.
Those who don’t get inside the top 116 most likely face a return to the Qualifying School or a season on the European Challenge Tour. Denmark’s John Axelsen, who has missed three of his last five cuts, occupies the ‘magic’ 116th spot.
Addressing the pre-event press conference on Tuesday, Senior Tournament Director DP World Tour Mikael Eriksson said there will be tough competition for golfers who aim not only to receive the $3.75mn tournament prize but also to garner the ranking points for 2024 via the Race to Dubai.
“It’s very important event for players and it’s going to be a tough fight. There are a lot of players, as we say, on the bubble, to keep their playing rights for next year. They are fighting for that. And we also have a lot of players here, but it’s competing for players in the finals. So it’s a very important tournament for everybody,” Eriksson said.
The tournament, organised by The Qatar Golf Association (QGA) also offers the chance to qualify for the Nedbank Golf Challenge in November as the top 50 on the end of season rankings will contest the DP World Tour Championship.
After last week’s final event of the campaign on European soil, the Tour returns to the Middle East with one 132 taking part in the event with Ewen Ferguson of Scotland defending the title. Ferguson claimed his maiden Tour title last year in Qatar after producing a solid finish in windy conditions to win by one shot.
“The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has once again attracted a field of top golfers. We are looking forward to an exciting action this weekend as we welcome the players and fans. I would like to thank our main sponsor Commercial Bank of Qatar for their continued support. I also want to thank the participating golfers and wish them luck,” the QGA President Hassan al-Naimi said.
Talking about the condition, Eriksson said the course will play tougher this time. “The course is in immaculate condition. And obviously, at this time of the year, now when the Bermuda rough is up, the course will play tougher. The golfers have really enjoyed coming here over so many years, and the golf course is improving every year. The course is in excellent condition and I am very happy how the course is played and set up. The field is strong so we expect a tough fight particularly among top 100 players. There will be less wind and I think the scoring will be good because I think the greens are excellent, in very good condition.”
Founded in 1998, the tournament was one of six in the Arabian Peninsula at one point, while it was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour from 2005-2007. A host of big names have claimed the title from Sergio Garcia to Adam Scott, with Ferguson the victor last year, becoming the first Scot to win the event.
Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “We are in the 26th year of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters which is a great achievement. We value this event and it’s an important tournament for us.”
Meanwhile, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Pro-Am 2023 will be held today.