1998 – 2003: The Early Years
The first Qatar Masters produced a first time winner in ScotsmanAndrew Coltart, who at the age of 28 posted an 18-under total of 270 to triumph by two strokes over Andrew Sherborne and Patrik Sjoland. A final-round 67 sealed the deal for Coltart, who will be at the 20th edition of the Qatar Masters as a TV pundit this week.
A year later Doha Golf Club witnessed another Scottish triumph whenPaul Lawrieproduced what remains one of the most impressive all-around performances at any Qatar Masters to date, thanks to a seven shot victory and 20 under par total. Lawrie went on to win the Open Championship in dramatic circumstances that same year.
We got our first real glimpse of how tough this layout can be in the wind a year later when, with the Shamal winds swirling and the rough playing especially difficult,Rolf Muntztook the crown in 2000. A year later, another man who will be in the TV studios this week,Tony Johnstone, won the last of his six European Tour events after coming through a tight battle with Robert Karlsson.
Major ChampionAdam Scottwas next to enter the Qatar Masters history books in 2002 thanks to an incredible Doha debut. The fresh-faced Australian won by six strokes after shooting in the 60s in all four rounds of the tournament and finishing 19 under par.
2003 – 2007: Stenson and Els get their hands on the Mother of Pearl Trophy
The next five editions of the Qatar Masters saw Sweden and South Africa dominate in this corner of the Middle East, with three and two victories respectively.Darren Fichardt, who is one of seven former champions in the field this week, prevailed in 2003 after beating countryman James Kingston in the event’s first playoff to win his second European Tour event.
Next it was Sweden’s turn asJoakim Haeggmanwon by just a single shot in 2004 after sinking a 15-foot putt at the last green, before South African legendErnie Els, another returning champion this week, won in 2005 after a dramatic tussle with Henrik Stenson to win by one stroke.Stensongot his own back a year later, battling the Shamal winds better than any of his competitors on the way to a 15 under par total, and a three shot victory.
The 2007 tournament will long be remembered for its captivating finish with South African Major Champion Retief Goosen two shots behind with two holes remaining, only to birdie 17 and eagle the 18th hole for a sensational one shot victory.
2008 – 2012: Twos up for Scott and Lawrie
Adam Scottetched his name into Qatar Masters folklore in 2008 thanks to a course record 11 under par final round of 61 which secured his second Qatar Masters title, ahead of Stenson who again took second place.
The bright and charismaticÁlvaro Quirósheld his nerve to lift the famous trophy in 2009, when the Spaniard provided the galleries with a moment they will never forget by jumping into the water in celebration at the 18th green.
Quirós put up a valuable defence of his title a year later, only to be dethroned byRobert Karlsson, who will be competing in his 16th Qatar Masters this year.
At just shy of the 40 mark, Denmark’sThomas Bjørnplayed some fine golf over the final two days of the 2011 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to seal his 11th European Tour title, beforeLawriecaptured his second Qatar Masters title in February of 2012, 13 years after his first win at Doha GC.
2013 – 2016: A case of the Graces
Chris Woodproduced one of the finest shots we have ever seen at the par 18th hole in 2013 to fend off one of his heroes, Sergio Garcia, and George Coetzee, to win his first European Tour event in emotional scenes. "I couldn't really feel my hands at the time. It was one chance, and I knew that was all I was going to get," Wood said after the win.
In 2014 it was the turn of one of Europe’s most famous golfers,Garcia, to lift the Mother of Pearl Trophy after coming through a dramatic three-hole playoff with Mikko Illonen. Sergio’s victory was well deserved, with the Spaniard having finished in the top 10 in six of his past seven appearances in the Qatari desert.
The next two years belonged to another South African, withBranden Gracedominating in Doha. Grace became the 16th different winner when he won by one shot in 2015, before he became the first man to successfully defend the Qatar Masters title a year later courtesy of some more fine shot-making down the final hole.
Playing in the last group on Saturday, Grace birdied the 18th following an incredible iron shot into the green from over 270 yards, for a closing three under par 69.
Grace’s first successful defence of a title also made him the tournament’s third two-time winner, following Lawrie (1999, 2012) and former World Number One Scott (2002, 2008).
The stage is now set for the 20th champion to be crowned.
