World Number Ten Alex Noren has his sights set on claiming the 20th edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, continuing the run of form that saw his most successful year to date in 2016.
The Swede won four times in 2016 and finished third in the Race to Dubai behind compatriot Henrik Stenson and Masters champion Danny Willett.
With two previous top ten finishes at the Doha Golf Club, the 34 year old is looking to kick start his 2017 campaign with a win during the second tournament of the ‘Desert Swing’, after finishing in a share of 13th place in last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Englishman Chris Wood returns to the scene of his first European Tour triumph, the 2013 champion clearly focused on attaining a fourth European Tour title after a successful 2016 season, but will do so amongst stiff competition.
Countryman Tommy Fleetwood, who claimed a one-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week to lead the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex, will be joined by the likes of four-time major champion Ernie Els, two-time Major champion and 11-time European Tour winner Martin Kaymer, and Ryder Cup stars Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Andy Sullivan.
Alex Noren
“It gives me a lot of satisfaction, because I came here, I think 2006 on a wildcard; I got an invite and shot millions (77-74). It feels different coming here this time. I feel better than that.”
“I don’t think I’m such a different player from previous. It’s more like I’m more aware of weaknesses and my strengths, and I can maybe strategically work my way around that.
“It felt a little rusty coming into last week, and then I finished up with a decent finish, which boosted me a little because I tried to work on a lot of things over the winter. I didn’t feel as good as I wanted coming into the season but then a decent finish gives you a little bit of a confidence boost. It feels quite good right now.”
“I’ve had good performances here. I think the course sets up quite similar to Abu Dhabi last week, and it is quite windy. I think one of my strengths last year was that I don’t put too much pressure on myself and I don’t here. Maybe that’s why I’ve been successful in the past, to strategically work my way around this course.”
Chris Wood
“Every year I come back here, I sort of feel like I’m going to give myself a chance, just because of the memories that I have and I always love coming back.”
“I think obviously I’ve come on as a player since then – four years ago is quite a long time. I have put myself in contention to win more events since, and I have done. There’s nothing like feeling the importance of every single shot over the last few holes when you’re in contention to win. One shot, one putt missed here or there can make all the difference.
“I’m generally quite happy playing in wind, so in Doha, you tend to get breezy conditions. The greens have got quite a lot of grain on, so you’ve really got to be quite a good putter here and that’s one of my strengths of my game now. So if you can stay patient on the greens and wait for your putts to drop, then you sort of are a shot ahead of the field really.”
Tommy Fleetwood
“I’m a little bit tired today after the last two days, but yeah, it’s very cool. A great way to start the year.”
“It’s brought us closer to the overall goal of the year to get into the top 50 in the world and get the World Ranking up as high as we can, and be playing that sort of schedule where it’s World Golf Championships and Majors.
“I played well here last year and I actually feel like this course suits me more than last week. A lot of the holes sort of set up better to my eye.”
