A strong representation of local and regional talent will mix with the stars of the European Tour as the $1.75 million Commercial Bank Qatar Masters tees off on Thursday.
The field consist of 138 players including sponsor invites to five local and regional players; Ali Al Shahrani (Qatar), Ali Saleh Al Kaabi (Qatar – pictured), Shergo Al Kurdi (Jordan), Ahmed Marjan (Morocco), Josh White (England) and Ahmed Baig (Pakistan).
Qatar invites have gone to both Ali Al Shahrani (Qatar) and Ali Saleh Al Kaabai (Qatar). Sahrani has played five times in the tournament and Kaabi also five times with their collective best score of 148, 4 over par on the challenging Peter Harradine designed golf course.
Qatar Open Winner
Josh White (England), from the MENA Golf Tour, gained his invite spot by winning the recent Qatar Open (Professional Division) with scores of 70, 73 and 70.
Ahmed Baig (Pakistan) won the Qatar Open (Amateur Division), with a 54 hole total of three under par, 213. The 19 year old will also represent Pakistan at the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to be held at the Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Danang, Vietnam, next month.
Qualification
Baig on gaining his qualification spot at the end of January said, “I’m very happy that I will be playing in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. I’ll go back and train very hard for the tournament. I’m very happy that could win and qualify for this European Tour event. I played very well and I had four birdies in the back nine to win.’
The final tournament invites are allocated to Shergo Al Kurdi (Jordan) and Arjan Marjan (Morocco).
The 72 hole tournament has a cut to the leading 65 professionals and ties after 36 holes with the final rounds being played on Saturday and Sunday.
Entry is free and all spectators are welcome.
