Doha (QATAR): Renowned as the toughest test of the three European Tour events in the region, the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, gets underway at Doha Golf Club today (Thursday) with many of the world’s best anticipating a massive challenge.

America's Kenny Perry who will be making a very rare overseas appearance at the 2010 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, which gets underway at Doha Golf Club tomorrow (Thursday).

High winds and deep rough combined in the pre-event Pro-Am and practice to leave players like defending champion Alvaro Quiros and American debutant Kenny Perry in awe of the fight that lies ahead.

“They have made the golf course more of a challenge,” said Quiros, who won the 2009 title with a display of powerful big hitting off the tee. “Everybody is going to tell you the same. With today’s conditions, it was impossible to put the ball in the fairway.  The fairway is narrower than last year and you miss by two meters… I think we have to be lucky with the wind, otherwise we are going to be in trouble.”

The defending champion admits he is delighted to be back at the home of his biggest win on Tour. But with a remodelled swing and a tougher course, he is making no predictions for what would be the first-ever successful Masters defence.

“Golf can change in one day, so you can imagine how much can change in a year,” he added. “I'm proud to be one of the past champions here, but tomorrow, if I make bogeys, it's going to be my fault.  But if I shoot 65, 67 every single day, I'm going to be on the top of the leader-board so I know what I have to do.”

Organised by the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) and the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) in tandem with title sponsors Commercialbank, the tournament has again attracted a some of the biggest names in the game, including American Kenny Perry who very rarely leaves the confines of the US PGA TOUR.

“Outside of the US, I usually only play The (British) Open so this is only my second European Tour event,” smiled Perry after the customary pre-event Pro-Am. “The golf course surprised me.  It reminds me of a US Open with the rough as difficult as it is - with the high winds it's playing more like a British Open. 

“It's a very difficult test out there right now. I think I shot one or two over today, made three or four birdies, but it's really in great shape. The greens are great, fairways are in good shape and it's going to be a great test.”

Securing marquee players like Perry has become a hallmark of an event that now consistently offers the players a chance to win significantly more world ranking points than are available at tournaments being staged at the same time elsewhere.

“I was surprised how strong the field was this week,” agreed Perry. “I noticed it is stronger than what it would be back in San Diego at Torrey Pines. There's going to be so many World Ranking points here this week, which is a great opportunity for me but it's going to be a test.  I look forward to the challenge.”

Former champion Henrik Stenson, meanwhile, believes he may be coming into form just in time for one of his favourite tournaments. “I’ve had a win and a few second places here so I know my way around,” said the world number eight who is celebrating a tenth visit to the Doha course. “Last Sunday I shot nine birdies and although there were bogeys, any time you shoot nine birdies you’re playing well.”

Once again, spectators can enjoy the action free of charge. Play gets underway on Thursday and Friday (Jan 28 and 29) at 6.40am, while the final two days will see the action heat up from around 7am before the champion receives the prestigious Mother of Pearl trophy around 4.45pm on Sunday evening (Jan 31).