Dufner confirms for Qatar Masters

By Sports Reporter/Doha

US PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner  will make his second straight appearance at the US$2.5-million Commercial Bank Qatar Masters when he competes in the 17th edition of the tournament, which will be held at Doha Golf Club from January 22-25.

Currently World No. 13, the 36-year-old American is the latest star player to join a field that includes current World No. 3 Henrik Stenson, former World No. 1 Luke Donald, multiple major champions Ernie Els and John Daly, 20-time European Tour winner Miguel Angel Jimenez and title holder Chris Wood, among others.

Dufner finished joint-ninth in his Doha debut last year following rounds of 71, 70, 67 and 69, and believes he can contend for the title this year having gained experience of the Championship course.

“I’m looking forward to competing for a second time in Doha where I played pretty well last year. I am hoping I can improve upon my finish this time around,” he said in a statement.

“It’s a really good tournament. I enjoyed the course and the hospitality, and if I can hole a few more putts than I did last time, I hope that will have me in contention on the weekend. I’m playing nicely and enjoying the start of a new year,” added Dufner, who finished fifth at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii earlier this month.

Dufner made his major breakthrough at the US PGA Championship last August when he shot a closing 68 at the Oak Hill Country Club in New York to win by two strokes from compatriot Jim Furyk, with Stenson third.

Hassan al-Nuaimi, President, Qatar Golf Association, believes Dufner’s decision to return to Doha so soon after winning his first major is a tribute to the tournament itself, as well as another huge boost for golf fans in Qatar.

“We’re especially proud that Jason Dufner is competing in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters for a second consecutive year, especially just five months after he won the PGA Championship in such style. It’s truly an honour to welcome a current major champion,” al-Nuaimi said.

Qatari golfers to tee off with pros

Doha: A group of Qatar’s young aspiring golfers marked one week to go until the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters yesterday, with an announcement that they are to take on a selection of the world’s leading golfers in a brand new nine-hole challenge match at Doha Golf Club, ahead of The European Tour tournament next week.

The fun match, announced during the tournament’s pre-event press conference, will see six young Qataris playing in teams of two alongside three European Tour star golfers. The match will take place on Monday (January 20), the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters’ official practice day.

“This is all about the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters trying to help develop junior golf in Qatar, particularly amongst the local population. You can’t buy this sort of experience, so I would like to thank Commercial Bank for assisting us in making dreams come true for these young local golfers,” Chris Myers, Tournament Manager and Doha Golf Club General Manager, said.