World Number Six Henrik Stenson will star in his 16th consecutive Commercial Bank Qatar Masters when the 19th edition is held at Doha Golf Club from January 27-30.
The six-foot three-inch Swede, who had surgery on his right knee in early December, strengthens a star-studded line-up also featuring Spanish superstar Sergio Garcia and South African sensation Branden Grace, the 2014 and 2015 champions respectively.
Stenson, 39, lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy in 2006 – Commercial Bank’s first year as the event’s title sponsor – and finished runner-up three times, in 2005, 2008 and 2009.
“It has been ten years since I won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but it doesn’t feel that long ago as I also came close several times and have a lot of good memories over the years,” said Stenson, who last January shot a closing 66 to tie for 13th.
“It’s always a course I feel I can play well on, so I’m looking forward to returning. I was in good form before the surgery, so I’m hoping to regain that form as soon as I can, while also looking after my knee.”
Stenson, who lived in Dubai for a decade before moving to the US in early 2012, has competed in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters every year since joining The European Tour in 2001, only missing the first three editions of the event since its inauguration in 1998.
A nine-time European Tour winner, the Swede won the Race to Dubai in 2013 and currently leads the 2016 table after finishing runner-up in last month’s Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
“I had a solid season last year, but of course I’d like to do well in Doha as a key event at the start of 2016. It’s a tournament I always look forward to as the weather’s great, the course is fair and there’s a good crowd.”
Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “Henrik Stenson’s continued commitment to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, for a 16th straight year, is remarkable and a tribute to a tournament that inspires strong loyalty from top players. Sergio Garcia will be playing for a tenth straight year and 11th in total. Both Sergio and Henrik will again be among the most popular players along with our defending champion, Branden Grace.”
Stenson, Garcia and Grace are among several big names to have lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy since Commercial Bank began its title sponsorship in 2006. Other big names include former World Number One Adam Scott, two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, former European Tour Number One Robert Karlsson and Thomas Bjørn, a 15-time European Tour champion.
Tickets are available to buy now at a range of outlets including Virgin Megastores (Online and in-store in Doha), Ticket Master, Time Out Tickets, Q Tickets, Doha Golf Club and more (full list below). Tickets are priced as follows, starting at QAR150:
Ticket prices:
Wednesday 27 January General admission ticket QAR 150
Thursday 28 January General admission ticket QAR 150
Friday 29 January General admission ticket including public access to live music concert (act to be announced) QAR 250
VIP concert ticket - general admission to the golf course, access to a designated exclusive tented area at the live music concert, canapés and one free drink QAR500
Saturday 30 January General admission ticket QAR200
Season Pass Wednesday to Saturday Includes general admission on all four days and live music concert on Friday 29 January QAR 450
Entry is free for children under 14 years of age and each ticket purchased entitles the holder to one free round trip journey to and from the Doha Golf Club by event partner UBER.
For those looking for an extra-special experience with a Michelin starred chef (to be announced), hospitality packages are available through the tournament’s official website www.qatar-masters.com/hospitality.
Official Website: http://www.qatar-masters.com
Hospitality: http://www.qatar-masters.com/hospitality.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommercialBankQatarMasters
Twitter: @CBQatarMasters
Hashtag: #MyCBQatarMasters
