Only five months have passed since the golfing globe last set its eyes on Qatar for the DP World Tour’s, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Now back in its usual early season spot, it will be the fifth and final event on the bounce in the Middle East’s ‘International Swing’ on the 2024 Race to Dubai.
The 2023 tournament, won by Finland’s Sami Välimäki in October, led him to an eventual PGA Tour card after finishing the season within the top 10 of the DP World Tour Eligibility Rankings. This year’s edition will take place from February 8-11, 2024 on the Peter Harradine-designed Doha Golf Club. Positioned back in its traditional date in the early part of the season, the field will be competing for the USD 2,500,000 prize pool in the International Swing.
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament Business Officer at the DP World Tour, said: “We are thrilled to complete the International Swing by adding the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
“The event has been a staple on the DP World Tour schedule for over 25 years and we must thank Commercial Bank, Doha Golf Club, the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee for their support in making this event what it is today.
“We are looking forward to working together again in 2024 as we plan for another highly successful staging of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.”
Sami Välimäki. Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
The event has been a staple on the DP World Tour schedule for over 25 years, with the first edition being won by Scotland’s Andrew Coltart in 1998, and a host of names having engraved their names on the pearl trophy, including two-time winners Paul Lawrie, Adam Scott and Branden Grace.
The win for Finland’s Välimäki was his second DP World Tour victory, with the Fin no stranger to winning in the region, as his only other trophy was at the 2020 Oman Open in just his sixth Tour event.
An emotional Välimäki was clear to be seen with his return to the winner’s circle in 2023. For many others it represented the final chance to earn their full playing privileges on the DP World Tour for the current season.
There is sure to be just as much emotion at Doha Golf Club in this historic event for the country.
Hassan Nasser Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: “We are delighted to announce that the 2024 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be taking place at Doha Golf Club.
“Aligned with our strategic vision, this event contributes to positioning Qatar as a significant participant in the sports industry. Furthermore, it serves as a valuable platform for Qatar’s promising golf talents to share the field with the global elite. We are honoured to collaborate once again with the QGA, QOC, and Doha Golf Club to deliver a premier golfing event in the region.”
Main image: Doha Golf Club. FP Studios
