World Number Two Lee Westwood will headline a star-studded field when the 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy gets underway from February 2-5 at Doha Golf Club.
The 38 year old Englishman will be making his seventh consecutive appearance in his bid to win the title for the first time and improve on his previous best finishes of fifth in 2008 and third in 2010.
His sensational performances at the end of 2011 with victories in both South Africa and Thailand had even Westwood himself impressed with his own level of play and the former World Number One believes he is in a good place with his game.
“It's nice when you click into that kind of gear where your mind is in the right place, you're calm, and your swing feels good and you're on auto pilot, really,” he said after winning two of his final three events of the year to take his 2011 tally to four.
“I’m very excited about 2012 not only with my form but with the way I'm playing. I’ve dropped from one to two in the space of the year in the world rankings, but if I was evaluating the way I’m playing now and a year ago, I’d say I’m a better player so any time you improve you can’t be disappointed. It fills me full of confidence going into the New Year."
Organised by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and title sponsor The Commercial Bank of Qatar, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy will give Westwood another opportunity to maintain the ongoing progress with the one area of the game he believes needs attention.
“My putting has not been as good as I would have liked,” he added. “Proof of that was at the Nedbank - a week where I putt and hole my fair share and I'm leading by seven going into the final round. If I have a week where I just putt okay, I have a chance of winning. And if I have a week where I don't putt very well at all, it seems like I finish tenth to 20th.
“That really shows the level where my game is at. I just want to putt better, more often really. That's what I'm working on at the moment and it seems to be improving.”
With 37 worldwide wins – including 21 European Tour titles - to his name, there are few more prolific players in the world than Westwood and his appearance in Doha once again underlines the strength of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in attracting the biggest names in world golf with Westwood joining other stars such as KJ Choi, Graeme McDowell and Alvaro Quiros in the growing line-up.
“It’s always a pleasure to welcome back the World Number Two and we look forward to announcing more players from the top ten in the official golf world ranking as we countdown to the event itself,” said Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens. “As well as four days of world class golf on the course, there are a wealth of attractions in the Public Village as well as a wide range of hospitality options.”
Tickets are now on sale at Doha Golf Club and at the Marriott Hotel priced QR50 for daily access and QR 175 for a season pass. More information on the 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy is available at the official websitewww.qatar-masters.com.
