And already with a resume that would be impressive at any age!
At just 14, yes 14! Daniil Sokolov is already a rising star within golf in the Middle East. A string of wins across the Arab Golf Series, strong showings on international junior tours, and a handful of professional cuts already under his belt, this young Qatari amateur has built a résumé that would be impressive at any age.
Come February, he will be pegging it up at Doha Golf Club for his third Qatar Masters appearance on the DP World Tour, stepping onto the same fairways that first sparked his love for the game and a place he now calls home.
“Every time I get the chance to tee it up on the DP World Tour, it feels a bit unreal,” Sokolov says. “Playing at home makes it even more emotional. I remember coming here as a small kid, watching the tournament and dreaming about being inside the ropes one day. Now I’m actually playing.”
That first visit came in 2016, when he was just five years old. It was the first golf tournament he ever watched, and the atmosphere of the Qatar Masters left a lasting impression. “Honestly, I think that moment is where my love for golf really started,” he says.
Daniil is lucky enough to call Doha Golf Club his home course and the base of the Qatar National Golf Team. Over the past few years, he has experienced it as a true championship test, particularly when February winds in the Gulf sweep across the desert.
“Over the last two or three years, the course has improved a lot and now feels truly one of the best in the world,” he says. “When it’s windy, you really have to stay patient and think your way around the course. And when it’s set up for the DP World Tour, it becomes a completely different challenge.”
Stretched to over 7,500 yards, the Peter Haradine-designed Doha Golf Club demands discipline. The 634-yard ninth hole and the water-lined 15th are punishing tests, while the short par-4 16th, Sokolov’s favourite, offers the chance for reward.
As a PUMA Golf and Cobra Golf ambassador, Daniil is also represented by Modest! Golf, which plays an important role in his development and tournament pathway, thanks to his +6.8 handicap! “At this level, I can already compete on professional setups, including DP World Tour courses. But to really challenge at the top on those courses, you need to be closer to +9 or +10. That’s what I’m working to.”
2025 was hands down a breakthrough one for Daniil. On the Arab Golf Series, he won in Jordan and Egypt, claiming the Pan Arab Junior Championship in the Under-16 category. He also won the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Championship, The Cedars Junior Championship and finished on the podium in Bahrain, at the GCC Championship, and at the Qatar Amateur Open.
“Those experiences taught me a lot about handling pressure and learning how to close tournaments,” he says. One highlight was qualifying for the US Junior Amateur through a playoff, making him the first golfer from Qatar to reach a USGA Championship. “The pressure was huge, and when it was over, it honestly felt unreal. It’s something I’m extremely proud of, and it’s an experience I’ll always remember.”
Internationally, Sokolov has competed on Stephen Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour, presented by KPMG, at iconic courses including PGA West, TPC Sawgrass, and Liberty National. “Playing Liberty National felt like a real step closer to the level I want to reach,” he says.
As mentioned, he has also begun testing himself in the professional ranks. Making cuts at the Aramco Invitational and the Asian Tour’s season-ending Saudi Open presented by PIF being a significant confidence boost. “Playing rounds three and four on a professional tour shows you a completely different level of golf,” he says. “That’s where things get really intense, and I know I still have a lot of work to do.”
Representing Qatar remains central to Daniil’s current focus. He competes for the national team in both Men’s and Under-16 events and currently ranks as the top player in Qatar and the GCC on WAGR. “Being able to wear the national colours is something I’m very proud of,” he says.
As the Qatar Masters approaches, Sokolov’s goal is to perform, learn, and enjoy playing at home. “After making the cut on the Asian Tour, the minimum goal is to make the cut again, play all four rounds, and show that my game belongs at this level.”
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Main Image: Jason Butler / Asian Tour
