The tournament, which was won by Finland’s Sami Välimäki in 2023, will take place from February 8-11, 2024 at Doha Golf Club, as it returns to its traditional date in the early part of the year.

The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be the fifth stop on the International Swing – and the last of five in the Middle East – before the Swing concludes in Africa, with the Magical Kenya Open, SDC Championship and Jonsson Workwear Open.

Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament Business Officer at the DP World Tour, said: “We are thrilled to complete the International Swing by adding the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

“The event has been a staple on the DP World Tour schedule for over 25 years and we must thank Commercial Bank, Doha Golf Club, the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee for their support in making this event what it is today.

“We are looking forward to working together again in 2024 as we plan for another highly successful staging of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.”

Doha Golf Club – Getty Images

Hassan Nasser Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “We are delighted to announce that the 2024 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be taking place at Doha Golf Club from 8 – 11 February 2024.

“The long-standing appearance on the DP World Tour schedule continues, and with a date change to the start of the season to fit in with the International Swing. Preparations are well under way, together with the title sponsor Commercial Bank, and we look forward to welcoming the players, golf fans and our valued sponsors to Doha Golf Club for another edition of world-class golf.”

Hussain Al Abdulla, Executive General Manager, Marketing and Alternative Assets at Commercial Bank, said: “The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters stands out as one of Qatar’s cherished annual sporting occasions, providing diverse experiences for players, golf fans, and families alike. Enthusiasts can witness the skills of the world’s finest golfers, while families can relish a weekend outdoors, fostering connections in the family zone and public village.

“Aligned with our strategic vision, this event contributes to positioning Qatar as a significant participant in the sports industry. Furthermore, it serves as a valuable platform for Qatar’s promising golf talents to share the field with the global elite. We are honoured to collaborate once again with the QGA, QOC, and Doha Golf Club to deliver a premier golfing event in the region.”

The International Swing is part of the new-look 2024 Race to Dubai, where each of the five Global Swings will have its own identity and its own Champion who will each earn $200,000 from an overall $1million Bonus Pool. Swing Champions will also qualify for the ‘Back 9’ events, before the season concludes with the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Image: DP World Tour

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But as the dust settles on a fantastic football World Cup, sports fans can rest assured that they will still get their fix of golfing action this year as the Asian Tour’s International Series will make its inaugural bow at Doha Golf Club from February 16-19. 

The Asian Tour has seen a significant surge in prize money and the elevated International Series has expanded further, adding stops at Doha and Muscat to its 2023 calendar, alongside the likes of tournaments in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and England.

It has been a blessing in disguise for Doha GC, as the $2.5 million International Series event will attract a strong field with Official Golf World Ranking points on offer for the LIV Golf stars who have taken to playing more on the Asian Tour. We have seen the likes of Patrick Reed and Peter Uihlein line up alongside some of the brightest Asian talents at International Series events to bring the game to wider audiences across the globe. Now we can expect more of the same in Doha.

Opened in 1998 and designed by Peter Harradine, the 7,437-yard championship course was one of the first grass golf courses in the Middle East, and gained popularity with gigantic cacti around numerous water hazards, skyscrapers offering a formidable backdrop. It will certainly challenge the top golfers as it plays as one of the longest courses in the region — so big tee shots should be the order of the day.

The post Destination Doha for a new departure appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We also look ahead to the LIV Golf League season-opener in Mexico and catch up with Lydia Ko ahead of her trip to Royal Greens Golf & Country Club for the Saudi Ladies International. 

James Piot talks about how the LIV Golf opportunity was too big to pass up and we take you through 2023’s must-have drivers in Part One of our Hot List.

All this and much, much more in the February 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

The post Get the February 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Ferguson went into Sunday’s final round three shots adrift of overnight co-leaders Adrian Meronk of Poland and England’s Matthew Jordan but as the duo slipped on the back nine, the European Challenge Tour graduate was able to take full advantage, firing an eagle and a birdie in his last three holes to lift the trophy.

“It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it. Really just speechless that I’ve won and I’ve just seen that I might move up to 11th in the Rankings, which is just unbelievable,” said Ferguson.

“I can’t believe it. It’s years and years of hard work. My mum, dad, brother and sister and my whole family have given everything for me to have this moment and it’s just an absolute dream come true.

After shrugging off the disappointment of a double-bogey at the second hole, Ferguson birdied the sixth before carding nine straight pars at Doha Golf Club.

A tremendous chip-in eagle from over the back of the 16th green propelled the 25-year-old into a share of the lead, and he calmly holed a 16-foot birdie putt at the last to sign for a closing 70 and set the clubhouse target on seven under par.

“As for the chip in, I called it before I hit it to my caddie as I said it was a hole-able one. I’d been practising my chipping this morning and as soon as I hit it I thought that looks good and sure it was,” said Ferguson.

“It was one of those days when you just kept fighting to the end. I’d been in contention a bit over the last couple of years and not managed to win, to the point where I thought I don’t know if I’ll ever manage to win. Just to get over the line is an absolute dream come true. I cannot believe it.

“It feels amazing. Actually Bob MacIntyre just sent me a text with a video of when I was 18 or 19 acting like an idiot and he said, ‘I can’t believe this guy has just won’.

“Everyone is so happy for me. Connor Syme, my best pal out here, is so happy for me as are his family and all my family and hopefully I can inspire a lot more people to play golf and get out here and get over the line as well.

“Connor has text me and called me a stud. He just loves that I won and said that he knew it was coming. He’s just the nicest guy and has helped me with my game.

Ferguson faced an anxious wait as Meronk and Jordan still had a handful of holes to complete, but no-one could catch the Scot and he was able to celebrate his first professional win, joining Andrew Coltart (1998) and Paul Lawrie (1999 and 2012) as Scottish winners of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Ferguson’s playing partner Chase Hanna of the United States finished alone in second place on six under after he rounded off his Sunday 71 with a birdie at the 18th. Meronk and Swede Marcus Kinhult were another shot further back in a tie for third, with Jordan amongst a group of seven players at four under par.

Final scores 

281 – E FERGUSON (SCO) 67 71 73 70,
282 – C HANNA (USA) 70 66 75 71,
283 – M KINHULT (SWE) 74 65 73 71, A MERONK (POL) 66 70 72 75,
284 – M ARMITAGE (ENG) 71 73 71 69, J HARDING (RSA) 76 68 70 70, G GREEN (MAS) 77 67 69 71, P LARRAZ?BAL (ESP) 64 71 75 74, A OTAEGUI (ESP) 70 70 70 74, K SAMOOJA (FIN) 74 69 66 75, M JORDAN (ENG) 69 69 70 76,
285 – T OLESEN (DEN) 71 69 76 69, M HELLIGKILDE (DEN) 66 75 75 69, L CANTER (ENG) 68 73 73 71, C HOWIE (SCO) 70 74 70 71, W ORMSBY (AUS) 68 72 73 72, P WARING (ENG) 69 71 73 72, J WALTERS (RSA) 74 68 71 72, O WILSON (ENG) 71 70 71 73, W NIENABER (RSA) 68 68 74 75,
286 – T LAWRENCE (RSA) 70 69 76 71, N BERTASIO (ITA) 69 75 71 71, A COCKERILL (CAN) 72 72 69 73, R LANGASQUE (FRA) 66 71 75 74, W BESSELING (NED) 71 71 70 74, N VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER) 76 68 68 74,
287 – J KRUYSWIJK (RSA) 71 71 75 70, L DE JAGER (RSA) 73 70 73 71, H DU PLESSIS (RSA) 72 70 73 72, M PAVON (FRA) 72 71 71 73, R ROCK (ENG) 67 76 71 73, R MCGOWAN (ENG) 69 71 73 74, J SCRIVENER (AUS) 72 72 69 74, L NEMECZ (AUT) 71 67 74 75,
288 – J BRUN (FRA) 70 69 78 71, G COETZEE (RSA) 71 72 72 73, B RITTHAMMER (GER) 71 70 72 75, A PAVAN (ITA) 69 73 71 75, Z LOMBARD (RSA) 68 72 72 76,
289 – D DRYSDALE (SCO) 72 68 78 71, D BURMESTER (RSA) 70 72 76 71, N ELVIRA (ESP) 73 71 73 72, J SJ?HOLM (SWE) 70 73 73 73, S V?LIM?KI (FIN) 71 72 72 74, M KIEFFER (GER) 71 71 72 75, B STONE (RSA) 75 68 70 76, J CALDWELL (NIR) 71 70 71 77, E MOLINARI (ITA) 69 70 72 78,
290 – C WOOD (ENG) 72 71 76 71, C PIGEM (ESP) 74 67 76 73, L GAGLI (ITA) 71 70 75 74, D FICHARDT (RSA) 72 70 74 74, A WU (CHN) 69 74 73 74, S SHARMA (IND) 66 73 76 75, G FORREST (SCO) 76 67 72 75, S KIM (USA) 73 71 70 76, T PULKKANEN (FIN) 71 73 70 76, R FISHER (ENG) 69 72 72 77, N KEARNEY (IRL) 70 71 72 77, R SANTOS (POR) 75 68 70 77, N M?LLER (DEN) 71 72 68 79,
291 – J GUERRIER (FRA) 70 73 74 74, J DANTORP (SWE) 68 71 76 76, D GAVINS (ENG) 71 67 76 77,
292 –  J CAMPILLO (ESP) 70 74 77 71, S KJELDSEN (DEN) 72 71 74 75,
293 – C SHINKWIN (ENG) 72 72 75 74, M KORHONEN (FIN) 69 72 74 78,
294 – Y PAUL (GER) 69 74 77 74, O LIESER (CZE) 74 70 75 75, R ROUSSEL (FRA) 71 69 76 78,
296 – J LAGERGREN (SWE) 68 76 75 77,
297 – L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 73 70 78 76, A ROZNER (FRA) 68 76 73 80,
299 – J SENIOR (ENG) 70 73 78 78.

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By Kent Gray
After an unbroken 22 year stretch at Doha Golf Club, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has a new home.

Education City Golf Club, only opened on January 1 last year, will hold a belated first birthday celebration when it hosts the $1.75 million European Tour event from March 5-8.

The 7,300-yard, José María Olazábal-designed layout, with a 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium as futuristic backdrop, is set to present a fresh desert challenge when South African Justin Harding returns to Doha to defend the Mother of Pearl trophy.

“The new course at Education City is certainly different to the other desert swing courses,” says general manager Michael Braidwood​.

“It’s a desert course with a lot of shrubbery and strong bunkering. The course is not overly long by modern standards and the greens are generous in size but are undulating and can offer some tough pin positions.”

The tournament’s guaranteed global television exposure is a priceless opportunity to unveil one of the Middle East’s newest courses to a wider domestic and regional audience. Braidwood expects the Education City football stadium to be an interesting diversion between the on-course action for the European Tour commentary team as well.

“The approach shots to the 1st and 17th greens have the Education City stadium as a backdrop. It is a beautiful stadium and gives an amazing backdrop. Having it so close, its only 150 meters from the 18th tee, is great,” Braidwood said of the stadium which saw its maiden match when Champions League winners Liverpool lined-up for their FIFA Club World Cup semifinal on December 18.

Hole 4: Olazábal relies heavily on bunkering as a key defence

“We’ve already had a lot of publicity with celebrity footballers playing footgolf in our club gardens with the stadium as a backdrop. The next thing is to get them golfing! It’s an exciting time for sport here in Qatar.”

Education City G.C.’s clubhouse opened in April. Her Highness Shaikha Moza will host the club’s 1st anniversary celebrations from there during Qatar Masters week, making it a doubly important occasion for the European Tour’s newest venue.

“It’s a great vehicle to promote the club internationally and locally. The various sponsors invite a lot of guests during the week who may not have any golf experience. It is our intention to make the spectator experience engaging, educational and interactive so they can leave with a greater knowledge of the sport as well as possibility having tried it whilst visiting the Qatar Masters.”

The post Welcome to the Desert Swing’s newest venue appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 18-year-old Indian contributed one from a possible three points as his Asia-Pacific team edged Europe 16.5-15.5 in a thrilling finish to the Ryder Cup-style matches at Doha Golf Club in Qatar. It was Asia-Pacific’s first win since 2004.

Europe went into Saturday’s 12-singles matches with a 11-9 advantage but Asia Pacific won the final day 7.5 to 4.5 to sneak home, reportedly on the last hole of the last match.

Sadly for Dubai-based Thomas, he couldn’t contribute on Saturday, beaten 1up by Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan. The Dubai Creek member’s sole point came in Friday’s foursomes when he combined with Gregory Foos to pip Finns Sami Valimaki and Matias Honkala 1up.

Thomas’ friendly MENA Tour rival Todd Clements contributed 2.5 points from a possible five for the Europeans, the English 21-year-old winning his singles match 3&2 over Japan’s Takumi Kanaya on Saturday.

The prestigious event is named in honour of Sir Michael Bonallack, one of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) greatest ever amateur golfers and former Secretary of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1984-99).

The post Thomas adds Bonallack Trophy to amateur CV appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
MENA Tour stars Rayhan Thomas and Todd Clements endured a tough day personally although the former ended Thursday at the prestigious Bonallack Trophy in Qatar slightly happier than the latter.

After oddly being left out of the Asia-Pacific line-up for the opening fourball matches in the Ryder Cup-style matches at Doha Golf Club, world amateur No.19 Thomas made his bow in the afternoon foursomes alongside Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go.

But the Dubai-based Indian Thomas and Go were stopped 2&1 by Robin Dawson (Ireland) and Marc Hammer (Germany) as Europe staged an afternoon comeback of sorts following a 3½-1½ reverse in the fourball matches.

Todd Clements

With a 3-2 advantage in the fourball matches, Europe closed the to within a point as Asia-Pacific which will take a 5½- 4½ lead into the second day (of three) on Friday.

Clements, who emulated Thomas by winning the 2017 amateur order-of-merit title on the developmental MENA Tour, also did it tough Thursday. He partnered fellow Englishman Matthew Jordan in both matches but lost to Australians Min Woo Lee and Shae Wools-Cobb 1 down in their fourball match and 2&1 in the foursomes.

The event is named in honour of Sir Michael Bonallack, one of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) greatest ever amateur golfers and former Secretary of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1984-99).

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By Alex Myers
If you’re a golf fan, there’s a good chance you follow Eddie Pepperell on Twitter. There’s also an even better chance you’d follow him if he wasn’t a tour pro. Pepperell is funny, smart, and thoughtful, traits that also show up in the fantastic musings on his blog. And it’s good to see that he’s going to keep writing now that he’s a European Tour winner.

Related: Watch Eddie Pepperell’s home crowd go bonkers when he wins

Pepperell picked up his first Euro Tour title on Sunday at the Qatar Masters. On Monday, he picked up a pen, er, keyboard, and pounded out a must-read post in which he candidly described his feelings as the final hole of his one-shot victory transpired, discussed his career in general and celebratory hangover, and gave heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and caddie. You should read the entire thing, but here are some of the highlights. On the final putt:

Winning Putt- ‘Concentrate you bastard.’ Like I did all day on short putts, I just tell myself I’m at home in my putting room.

Eyes still. Winning feeling- If I could have thrown myself in the lake I would have, but I play with my wallet in my back pocket, and now isn’t the time to destroy my credit card.

On the morning after:

This Monday I’ve woken up with what I suspect you’d call a proper hangover. I’ve never really suffered in the past with alcohol but today is slightly different. And my right bicep is genuinely sore from the strain of keeping aloft the heaviest oyster on earth. Both problems I’m more than happy to deal with.

If you’re confused about the “oyster” part, look at the above photo. There’s this on his surprise with how he finally broke through:

*There was a nice irony in winning yesterday in the sense that I didn’t feel I played my best golf. After coming close to winning a number of times and not being able to, I’ve at times thought that I would need to play ‘sensational’ golf to finally get over the line. Yesterday proved to me that in fact isn’t the case. Getting the ‘job done’ yesterday came down to the more intrinsic parts of golf; course management, patience and clutch putts. I felt it was the two pars I made on 12 and 13 that really won me the tournament. Both times I had to hole 5/6 footers. I guess you could say that two big decisions I made last year in getting a putting green in my house and changing caddies, are continuing to manifest into something good. *

And finally, how about this tremendous sign-off?

There’s lots more I could say I guess, but that can wait. Above all though, I’m just so happy for my family and girlfriend, all of whom deserve the credit for constantly reminding me who I am. Christ, if I ever get above my station, my sister will put me right. She has a knack for four letter curses and pinpoint truth telling.

Time for a nice dog walk.

Well played, Eddie. And even better said.

The post Eddie Pepperell pens must-read blog post after picking up his 1st European Tour title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Related: Rising star Eddie Pepperell gets the win he’s been waiting for at Qatar Masters

That changed this week at the Qatar Masters, where Pepperell finally got the win he’d been waiting for, thanks to a final-round two-under 70 at Doha Golf Club. While we’re sure Pepperell is thrilled to finally get it done, no one was happier than his home crowd watching him hole the final putt in England. Eddie’s older brother Joe made sure to film the ensuing celebration, and it’s as epic as it gets:

????@PepperellEddie pic.twitter.com/TNcG7vehuj

— Joe Pepperell (@joepep_pga) February 25, 2018

Amazing “scenes” as one Twitter user called it. Looks like it’s going to be a fun day for these folks, and we can only hope Joe has his camera ready for the full celebration when Eddie gets back home.

The post Watch the epic celebration by Eddie Pepperell’s home crowd when he clinched his first European Tour title appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Ryan Herrington
Sunday felt like a long time coming for England’s Eddie Pepperell. Many labeled the gregarious 27-year-old a rising talent on the European Tour, but he needed 129 starts in six seasons (along with one return trip Qualifying School) before finally claiming the breakthrough win so many expected.

Impressively, Pepperell’s maiden Euro Tour victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters came not through aggressive play or by overpowering Doha Golf Club. Rather, it was the patience Pepperell’s learned as he’s grown as a professional golfer that served him well, closing with a two-under 70 to hold off countryman Oliver Fisher by a stroke, winning with an 18-under 280 total.

Pepperell and Fisher started the day in the desert tied for the lead, and while Pepperell felt like he was struggling when he opened with eight straight pars before a birdie on the ninth, it was good enough to grab a four-stroke lead on Fisher, who had made a trio of bogeys on the front side.    

“I had to play smarter on the front nine, with some tricky pins,” Pepperell said.

Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Playing with a cushion after making another birdie on the 10th hole, Pepperell picked his spots on the back nine. Case in point: On the short par-4 16th, after he had bogeyed the previous hole, Pepperell hit a 3-iron/wedge to set up a five-foot birdie. “I knew I was playing especially quite well tee to green,” Pepperell said.

Fisher, though, would not go quietly, making five birdies on the back nine to pull within one stroke as the pair played the par-5 18th hole. Both players laid up with their second shots, but Pepperell was in the rough to hit his third shot. Fisher hit his approach to 10 feet but failed to make the birdie, setting Pepperell up to take the title when he two-putted for his par.

? The best of Pepperell’s winning final round ?#QatarMasters pic.twitter.com/thDJdkVxWb

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 25, 2018

“This will give me confidence,” said Pepperell, who first earned his European Tour card in 2012, but had to regain it at Q school in 2016. In 2017, he had four top-five finishes on the season, chronicling his season on his own highly entertaining blog.

“I’ve always felt and believed I will win out here, but it hadn’t happened before today,” Pepperell said. “You’ve always got to take that step and that’s uneasy, but at some point in everyone’s career they’ve got to do something for the first time. Hopefully, this is not my last.”

The final #QatarMasters leaderboard:

???????-18 @PepperellEddie
???????-17 @olifisher1
??-16 @marcuskinhult
??-15 @RenatoParatore
??-15 @plarrazabal
??-15 @gfcgolf
??-15 @GregHavret

All Scores: https://t.co/8M0WPsnuHO pic.twitter.com/6INIh9h3dw

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 25, 2018

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