Doha (QATAR): After being edged out by Alvaro Quiros just twelve months ago, former champion Henrik Stenson will again be on the hunt for a Doha double at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden embraces caddie Fanny Sunesson after narrowly missing out in last year’s Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy

The world number seven and 2006 champion has joined a powerful line-up for the $2.5 million tournament and will be one of the red hot favourites from January 28-31 thanks to a recent track record in Qatar that has few equals.

Since missing the cut in 2004, the super Swede has proved he has the game to tame the 7,388-yard desert course with a victory, three runner-up spots and a seventh place finish in his last five appearances.

Speaking before making a tenth consecutive appearance in the Qatari capital, Stenson said: “I know the course inside-out, which is always going to help. It's a course I really enjoy playing. I think the three courses we play in this part of the world are great and after nine years I should have a fair idea of how to play the golf course.

“Last year was as good as we've seen it condition-wise. The greens were really good and the rough fairly thick. It's a fair setup but I think scoring is normally a little bit higher than in Abu Dhabi.”

Despite pushing Quiros all the way in 2009, Stenson missed out on a play-off and had to settle for a share of second place with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen three shots behind the Spaniard.

“It never feels good when you three-putt the last but I had to give it a go,” he added.

“My only chance to force a playoff was to make a birdie on the last, depending on what Alvaro was going to do. But I was still happy with my performance and it was another good week in Qatar.”

After missing out on a second Qatari title, the 33 year-old Swede won the biggest title of his career at the 2009 PLAYERS’ Championship at the notorious TPC Sawgrass. He also enjoyed six top tens en route to finishing eighteenth in the inaugural Race To Dubai.

Hassan Al Nuami, Chairman of the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), organisers of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, in association with the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and title sponsors Commercialbank was quick to welcome Stenson back to Doha.

“Ten years in a row and five top ten finishes – Henrik is obviously a man who knows this course better than most,” he said. “It is a course that seems to suit the big hitters such as Henrik and Alvaro Quiros so I am sure they’ll both be challenging to become the event’s second two-time winner.”

Andrew Stevens, CEO of title sponsors Commercialbank, was also quick to praise Stenson’s recent performances in Doha.  “He really does seem to know this course as well as anyone,” said Stevens. “But with other world top 10 players like Paul Casey, Kenny Perry and Lee Westwood in the field, he’ll know the 2010 line-up is as strong as any in the event’s history.”