The battle at the top of the Race to Dubai Rankings is set to intensify as a strong field assembles for this week’s Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club, marking the midway point of the DP World Tour’s International Swing and the final Middle East stop before the season moves towards the Play-Offs.
Race-to-Dubai leader Jayden Schaper arrives in Doha in impressive form after already claiming two victories this season, with nearest challenger Patrick Reed also in the field following his recent triumph at the Dubai Desert Classic. Andy Sullivan, Julien Guerrier, Daniel Hillier and Nacho Elvira will also be aiming to build on encouraging starts to the campaign, while local interest will focus on Qatari amateurs Saleh al-Kaabi, Ali al-Shahrani and Daniil Sokolov as they look to make their mark on home soil.
Schaper is hoping to continue a proud record of South African success at the Qatar Masters as he goes in search of a third win of the season at Doha Golf Club. The 24-year-old has been the breakout star of the campaign so far, winning twice and securing a runner-up finish to take the Opening Swing title before achieving a career-best result of fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic.
He arrives at an event where he finished fifth last season and has never missed the cut, looking to follow in the footsteps of compatriots who have dominated the tournament’s history. South Africa holds a record six titles from the event’s 28 editions, with Branden Grace and Darren Fichardt winning twice, alongside champions Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Justin Harding.
“If you look at the past, a lot of the South Africans have had quite a bit of success around here,” said Schaper. “I personally enjoy it. From tee to green it’s one of the better courses we play throughout the year. It’s quite brutal and quite tough, and the greens are always rolling pure and firm. I’m a golfer who likes to use a lot of the slopes around the greens. It’s my fourth week in a row but it’s nice to be back out in Qatar. I’ve got some good memories and nice results around here.”
With three events completed and three more to follow after this week, the tournament represents a pivotal stage in the International Swing standings. The winner of the Swing will secure entry into every Phase Two event on the DP World Tour schedule – known as the Back 9 – along with a US$200,000 bonus and a place at the Scottish Open for the highest-ranked non-exempt player.
This year’s tournament marks the 29th consecutive edition of the Qatar Masters since its inception, with eight former champions returning in pursuit of a second Mother of Pearl Trophy. Among them is 2003 winner Fichardt, whose longevity continues to impress after finishing inside the top 116 on last season’s Race to Dubai and enjoying success on the Legends Tour.
Chris Wood, champion in 2013, is on a comeback trail after a recent victory on the MENA Golf Tour, while 2018 winner Eddie Pepperell returns after regaining his playing rights through Qualifying School.
Pepperell hopes fond memories at Doha Golf Club can help revive his form after what he described as an “odd” 12 months. The Englishman has endured a mixed spell that included strong performances, injury setbacks and a dramatic return to the Tour with four consecutive birdies at Qualifying School.
Encouraging early signs in 2026 suggest his game may be trending in the right direction as he seeks to rediscover the consistency that once propelled him into the world’s top 50. “The last 12 months have just felt very odd. I don’t feel like I’ve played badly and I feel like I’ve had a number of weeks where I’ve actually played quite well but my results haven’t been that good and I think my standards have just dropped,” said Pepperell.
“Over the last few months I’ve improved my driving and my putting, which is great, but my irons are always the key. If I’m not hitting them well then I’ll struggle to do well. I’ve been searching for a while to try and unlock what I need to do to hit my irons well enough to reach my full potential.”
Elsewhere in the field, Justin Harding is chasing a first victory in nearly five years, while Jorge Campillo, Antoine Rozner and Ewen Ferguson are all targeting a fourth DP World Tour title. Defending champion Rikuya Hoshino returns to the venue of his maiden Tour win after a season spent as a dual member on the PGA Tour.
The tournament will also mark a major milestone for Padraig Harrington, who becomes the 50th player in DP World Tour history to make 500 appearances.
The three-time Major champion and most successful Irish golfer of all time continues to compete at the highest level, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned more than three decades and 33 countries.
Doha Golf Club, staging the event for the 26th time in its history, will present a refreshed test this year following upgrades to several tee complexes, including the first, sixth, eighth, 13th and 15th holes.
The changes offer greater flexibility in course set-up while enhancing turf quality and strategic challenge. Sustainability remains a central focus at the desert venue, with heat-tolerant grasses, data-driven irrigation systems and ongoing soil health programmes helping to reduce water usage without compromising playing conditions.