- Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar: 7400 yards, Par 72.
The Doha Club has hosted the Qatar Masters since 1998. Course knowledge seems to be an advantage here. With the exception of last year, when Jeunghun Wang won, the previous seven champions all had numerous top-20 finishes here.
The course has also favoured long hitters in the past in quiet conditions but it is very open and when the wind gets up it can play havoc. Wayward drives aren’t punished that much as the rough isn’t thick and although long hitters can open their shoulders if the wind blows it can bring the shot makers into the mix.
Chris Wood
Wood surprised a lot of people last week when finishing second to Belgian Joost Luiten at the Oman Open. Having missed the cut on his three previous European Tour tournaments his season was going in the wrong direction.
Wood is a confidence player and three rounds in the 60s at Al Mouj will certainly boost his mindset. Apart from that Wood has good memories here as he won the Qatar Masters in 2013.
It is important to be putting well here and last week he led the field in putts per GIR with 1.658. He hasn’t won on the European Tour since the BMW PGA Championship in 2016 but that could change here.
- GIR: 68.3% (159th). Putts per GIR: 1.78 ( 138th).
And one man who stands out with those figures is South African George Coetzee. He did, however, miss the cut last year, but previously has three top 10s and a T12.
His performances at the Doha GC have been due to his putting which averages 27.8 putts per round and putts per GIR stands at 1.69, well ahead of the next best. After a T9 at the Mauritius Open his form has dipped quite dramatically but he clearly loves the course and maybe this could be the turning point to his season.
- GIR: 72.2 (62nd). Putts Per GIR: 1.799 (135th).
Recommended bets
- 1.5pts ew Chris Wood (Betfred, 22-1)
- 1.5pts ew George Coetzee (Ladbrokes, 25-1)
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Commercial Bank Qatar Masters – Chris Wood
Honda LPGA Thailand – So Yeon Ryu
ew double.