Qatar Masters

The Qatar Masters has emerged as one of the most popular events on the PGA European Tour, having produced a number of thrilling finishes since it was first launched in 1998. Staged every January, golfers compete for a prize fund of $2.5 million at the exquisite Doha Golf Club.

The course, created by the vision of renowned designer Peter Harradine, features eight lakes, giant cacti and a number of limestone rock formations, with superb green fairways contrasting sharply with the desert region.

While it is a favourite venue for many players, Australia’s Adam Scott and Paul Lawrie of Scotland have particularly fond memories as both players have won the tournament twice and also share the record score of 20-under par.

South Africa’s Branden Grace became the first man to successfully defend his Qatar Masters title when he won for a second time in 2016, but it is the history of close contests which has really marked the competition out as one to watch, and in both 2003 and 2014 a playoff was needed to determine the winner.