Ian Poulter will be hoping some of compatriot Paul Casey’s Middle East magic rubs off on him when the duo join a star studded cast at the US $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters in Doha.
The two Englishmen will compete against the likes of debutant Scott Verplank, rising star Rory Mcllroy, former winners Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson, Ryder Cup hopefuls Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, and defending champion Retief Goosen when they tee off at Doha Golf Club from January 24-27.
Casey has already sampled Gulf success courtesy of his victory at last year’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, but Poulter is yet to taste victory in the Emirates.
The 31 year old will be making his fifth visit to the Gulf state, where a tie for 11th at The Commercialbank Qatar Masters in 2000 remains his best performance to date.
As well as a winner’s cheque for $416,660, Poulter and the rest of the field will also be competing for a 26 foot luxury cruiser, the prize on offer to any player who manages a hole in one at the par three 17th.
The $150,000 Doral Monticello yacht is provided by Alfardan Marine, the tournament’s hole in one sponsor.
“Everyone remembers Paul’s hole in one at The Ryder Cup,” said Hassan Al Nuami, chairman of the Qatar Golf Association, organisers of the tournament alongside the Qatar Olympic Committee and title sponsor Commercialbank.
“We’d love to be able to hand over the keys to the yacht to any player who can ace the 17th, as it’s certainly a wonderful prize and we are grateful for Alfardan Marine’s support. I don’t know if Paul or Ian has a boat like this at home, but I’m sure they’d be happy with a wonderful souvenir from their time in Qatar.”
In 2006, Verplank became the first American to hit a hole in one in the history of The Ryder Cup, and the 43 year old Texan will be bidding to repeat the feat when he tackles Doha Golf Club’s 7,374 yard course for the first time.
Mr Al Nuami said: “The international promotion of Qatar as a business, sports and tourist destination is important to us and the Qatar Olympic Committee, so we are delighted to welcome Scott Verplank for the first time.
“Pro golf has only been in Qatar for ten years, and the tournament has made dramatic progress thanks to the backing of The European Tour, the players, and of course our sponsors. It is credit to them all that we are looking ahead to the eleventh staging of The Commercialbank Qatar Masters, with a field on par with the best tournaments on the calendar.”
In the tournament’s ten year history, no player has lifted the famous Mother of Pearl trophy more than once.
