Doha (QATAR): After the most successful year of his professional career, European No. 1 Robert Karlsson will be one of the favourites when the twelfth Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, gets underway at Doha Golf Club on Thursday (Jan 22).
The towering Swede won the final European Tour Order of Merit in 2008 after a year that saw him finish in the top ten in three of the four Majors, win golf’s World Cup with compatriot Henrik Stenson, lift two European Tour titles and rack up another ten top-ten finishes
“Robert is currently one of the world’s top ten players and will certainly be one of the favourites for the trophy,” said Qatar Golf Association (QGA) President Hassan Al Nuami.
“Add Robert to the names of Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els and Lee Westwood and fans will see we have five of the top twelve in the world with us this week. It’s fantastic line-up when you consider we also have Adam Scott, Retief Goosen, Boo Weekley and Brandt Snedeker in the field.”
Organised by the QGA in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Commercialbank, the twelfth Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, will see 120 players do battle in a US$ 2.5 million event that continues to attract the world’s biggest names.
At 6ft 5”, Karlsson is physically one of the biggest – a tall, powerful player who was one of the European stars in Nick Faldo’s team at the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla.
“I got to where I am by focusing on things that I can do and I’ll keep doing that,” said world number seven Karlsson. “We’ll see what happens but I've got to try to keep improving although you can never guarantee results. “
“I don't miss as many drives as I did before, and the misses now are more in play, which makes me hit more greens. My putting has been good throughout my whole career - high up season after season and now I have managed to lift other categories as well.”
Although a resurgent Karlsson will undoubtedly be one to watch when the tournament is staged at Doha Golf Club from January 22-25, it will be far from easy over a 7,388-yard course that is arguably the toughest in the Gulf and against a field of players that sparkles with star quality.
“Our player list is arguably the strongest we have seen in the history of the tournament,” said Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens. “Our aim since we became involved has always been to maintain the event’s progress and continue to take it to new heights. With five of the world’s top twelve in Doha, I think we can safely say we have done just that.”
More information on the 2009 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, is available at the official website www.qatar-masters.com.
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