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 Event Preview

The Qatar Masters will be jointly sanctioned for the first time by the Asian Tour and European Tour next year, organisers announced today.

This groundbreaking development will ensure a strong presence of the region's top stars in the elite field as 44 Asian Tour members will line up alongside the best from Europe.

The eighth Qatar Masters, which will be held from March 10-13, 2005, has a prize fund of US$1.5 million with golfers battling for the magnificent Pearl Trophy. This is also the first event in the Middle East to be sanctioned by both the Asian and European Tours.

Staged for the first time in 1998, the Qatar Masters is held at Doha Golf Club, a veritable oasis in the middle of the desert near Qatar's capital Doha. Doha will also host the 15th Asian Games in 2006.

The Qatar Golf Association's move to involve the Asian Tour is part of their plans to

provide more playing opportunities to Asian players. "As the Asian Games approaches we would like more Asians to take part in our event," said Hassan Al Nuaimi, president of the Qatar Golf Association. "In 2005, the field breakdown will be 100 players from Europe and 44 from Asia."

There is also a business angle involved. "Qatar's business market is Asia-oriented. With the Asian Tour coming on board, it will increase sponsorship interest in Asia as there will be extensive media coverage that the Qatar Masters will receive," added Abdullah Al Kuwari, Marketing Manager.

In previous years, the Qatar Golf Association offered limited spots to Asian golfers. In terms of prize money, the tournament ranks second only to the US$1.7 million Johnnie Walker Classic, held this year in Bangkok.

Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin welcomed the move by the Qatar Golf Association. "This is a tremendous development for the Asian Tour as it will allow our highly talented playing membership to feature in a top-class event.

"I would like to thank the Qatar Golf Association for this initiative and I'm sure our players will enjoy the opportunity to challenge Europe's finest players in Doha next year."

The Qatar Masters has traditionally enjoyed a strong field, with British Open champion Paul Lawrie, the winner of the Qatar Masters in 1999, Darren Clarke of Ireland, Australian Adam Scott and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland headlining previous events.

Asian Tour players who have teed off in the Qatar Masters include Thailand's

Thongchai Jaidee, Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh of India. The top 44 players from the 2004 Asian Tour Order of Merit will qualify for the 2005 Qatar Masters.

Key to conquering the 7,157-yard Peter Harradine-designed course is taming the northerly Shamaal which makes scoring very difficult. The tournament made European Tour history in 2004 when a total of 84 players made the cut, separated by just five strokes, the fewest number of shots between the 36-hole leaders and the cut line.

Swede Joakim Haeggman won the title earlier this year.

November 1, 2005