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The richest Middle East event on last year’s PGA European Tour, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, will be staged at Doha Golf Club for the twelfth time from January 22-25, 2009.

Won in 2008 by Australian Adam Scott thanks to a final round course record 61, the tournament is rightly regarded as a powerful member of the trio of events that make up the ‘desert swing’.

But it was Scott and not Tiger Woods or Martin Kaymer – who won in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – who walked away with the biggest winner’s cheque for playing in the Gulf over one of the most demanding courses in the region.

Last year’s Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, attracted more than 16,000 spectators to the Doha Golf Club who took advantage of the complimentary entrance – the only PGA European Tour event to be free of charge to the public in the Middle East.

“Doha’s population may not be as great as the other regional venues on the tour, but the spectators appreciate the undoubted quality of the field as well as the unique challenge offered by Doha Golf Club,” said Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hassan Al Nuami.

“While entries are still open for the 2009 event, we are unable to finalise the entry list but spectators and sponsors can rest assured that we are already attracting a world class field with one or two surprise names in store.”

While Adam Scott became the first player in the history of the tournament to win the prestigious trophy for a second time, he was chased all the way by a host of household golfing names including Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Scott Verplank and Lee Westwood.

As well as an international field of golfers, last year’s event also received a royal visit from both His Highness The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamed bin Khalifa Al Thani, and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned.

“Although our prize-fund breakdown has yet to be revealed, it is fair to say we are proud of our position as the richest event to be staged in the Middle East during 2008,” said Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens.

“With the support of the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee, we have seen the tournament grow to become one of the leading tournaments on the Tour’s international calendar. A wonderful venue, world-class infrastructure and an all-star cast of players have helped propel the event to a height few could have imagined just a few years ago.”

Stevens added: “Over the coming weeks we will announce a number of international golfers who will be making their first appearances in Doha, while welcoming back some familiar names from Tour and Ryder Cup successes.

“At Commercialbank, we are proud to play our part in helping promote Qatar to a global audience through our flagship Commercialbank Qatar Masters, as well as our support sponsorship of events like the Sony Ericsson Championships - sporting properties that place Doha and Qatar on the global stage at a time when it is importance to show confidence and ambition from the region.

With two months to go to the tournament itself, Doha Golf Course General Manager Chris Myers believes the event is the most challenging of the three Middle East tournaments that make up the ‘desert swing’.

“I think all the players agree that Doha provides a real test of golf with a biting desert wind capable of ruining even the best golfer’s score card,” he said.

“In addition, the course was designed by Peter Harradine and is renowned for lush green fairways, challenging greens and water hazards, which dominate an area that used to be a desert wasteland but is now a world-class Tour venue.”

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