Graeme McDowell will make a popular return to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters when the Northern Irishman competes in the tournament’s landmark 20th edition at Doha Golf Club from January 26-29.
McDowell, 37, will be competing in Doha for the first time since 2012, when he made his sixth appearance in a decade since making his tournament debut as a 23 year old in 2003. His best result remains a share of fourth in 2007 when he finished three strokes behind two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen.
“I’m looking forward to returning to Doha for the 20th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as it has been a few years since I’ve played there and I have fond memories of the tournament,” said McDowell, who finished fourth in his last European Tour outing, October’s British Masters supported by Sky Sports.
It’s a great course at Doha Golf Club, there’s always a nice crowd and it’s a lovely time to visit Qatar as the weather is ideal. It’s a good way to start the year and I’m hoping a solid result can kick-start a good 2017 for me.
McDowell has racked up ten European Tour titles since his rookie season in 2002 and won three times on the PGA TOUR, most recently in November 2015.
Affectionately known as ‘G-Mac’, McDowell remains best known for his 2010 US Open win and becoming the first European to win the trophy for four decades since Tony Jacklin in 1970.
In October 2010, McDowell played in his second Ryder Cup, teaming up with Rory McIlroy in three matches in Wales before winning the final singles match against Hunter Mahan to ensure Europe regained the trophy with a 14.5-13.5 scoreline.
Having finished second in The Race to Dubai rankings in 2010, he reached a career-high World Number Four in early 2011. McDowell went on to help Europe retain the Ryder Cup in 2012, again pairing with McIlroy, and 2014, winning his two matches with Victor Dubuisson and his singles clash with Jordan Spieth. Last month he represented Ireland at the World Cup of Golf for the fifth time.
Hassan Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “Graeme McDowell is one of the most popular and successful European players of the past decade and we’re so happy that he will compete again in Doha for the 20th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. He has competed in our tournament six times before and will be a huge draw as he returns to Qatar.”
First held in 1998, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has helped establish Qatar as a world-class sporting venue and is considered the country’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event. Sitting at the heart of The European Tour’s Middle East swing, the tournament attracted over 25,000 spectators in 2016 and was broadcast to a global TV audience of over 400 million.
Tickets for the 20th Commercial Bank Qatar Masters are now availableHERE.
