Quiros faces powerful field in Qatar Masters defence

NEWS RELEASE
Doha (QATAR): Reigning champion Alvaro Quiros will face a powerful field littered with Major winners, Ryder Cup stars and up-and-coming talent when he returns to Doha Golf Club to defend his title at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, from January 28-31.
As well as a clutch of players from the official world rankings top 20, the big-hitting Spaniard will face two US-based Major winners in the shape of Todd Hamilton and Shaun Micheel, both of whom will be attempting to become the first American winner of the Mother of Pearl Trophy.
Now in its thirteenth year, the $2.5 million tournament made international headlines in 2009 when its event rating - based on the Official World Golf Ranking of the entire field - was the highest of any regular Tour event since records began, excluding the Majors, World Golf Championship events and the flagship BMW PGA Championship.
“Last year saw a landmark achievement not only for the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, but also for golf in the Middle East,” said Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hassan Al Nuaimi.
“To have our tournament rating higher than any other event ever staged in the region was a proud moment for the QGA, the Qatar Olympic Committee and Commercialbank. While we will not know our event rating for 2010 until the first ball is played on January 28, I am confident we have again gathered a field that will be as strong as that of twelve months ago.”
Among the big names fighting it out for Quiros’ crown are European number one and world No 4 Lee Westwood, former champions Retief Goosen and Henrik Stenson, world No 8 Paul Casey, world number ten Kenny Perry, world No 11 Ian Poulter, world No 12 Sergio Garcia and Colombian superstar Camilo Villegas.
Website: www.qatar-masters.com