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Els confirms for Qatar Masters

After victory at the South African Open last week maintained Ernie Els’ remarkable record of winning at least one tournament a year since 1991, the ‘Big Easy’ confirmed he will return to action in 2007 at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

The new world number five will launch his 2007 campaign at the Doha Golf Club when the $2.2 million PGA European Tour-Asian Tour event gets underway on January 25. And tournament officials are understandably delighted at securing the signature of their 2005 champion.

“You don’t get many golfing names greater than Ernie Els,” said an elated Andrew Stevens, CEO of title sponsors Commercialbank of Qatar. “With Ernie confirmed alongside players like Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood, the field is shaping up to be the strongest yet and is a great way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the tournament.”

Last week’s triumph was Els' 23rd European Tour title and his fourth South African Open title. The victory was all the more sweeter as the 37 year-old knew it was his last chance to maintain that 15-year winning record and was determined to grab it with both hands. His final score of 24-under was a record winning total at the tournament and proved that Els is back to his best.

“Ernie admitted afterwards that his performance in South Africa was as good as he can play,” said Qatar Golf association President Hassan Al Nuami. “To have him back at the peak of his game is not only good for golf, it’s also wonderful news for our tournament. The Commercialbank and the Qatar Golf Association should be congratulated for securing his signature and having him return to Doha Golf Club.”

Even with Els, Garcia, Goosen, Clarke and Westwood confirmed, Commercialbank of Qatar CEO Stevens revealed that the tournament was still in the process of confirming even more big names, a fact sure to be welcomed by the growing number of golf fans in the Middle East

“We’ve been saying since day one that the 2007 tournament will take golf in Qatar to new and improved levels,” he added. “We’ve announced record prize-money of $2.2 million and a host of world-class players. But in association with the Qatar Golf Association, we will keep working to secure what we feel will be the best in-depth field of players competing in the region in 2007.”

December 22, 2006