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Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi, Ali Al Shahrani will get wild cards

By Armstrong Vas

Doha: England’s Matthew Jordan and Poland’s Adrian Meronk share the lead on Sunday morning at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club course.

Finland’s Kalle Samooja was a stroke behind after shooting 6-under 66 on Saturday.

Jordan (70) and Meronk (72) had 54-hole totals of 8-under 208 as both search for their first European tour win.

The 282nd-ranked Jordan had a front-nine 39 but recovered with five birdies on the back nine in an overall “stressful” round.

The tournament is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

This year’s Qatar Open Amateur Championship-winner Denmark’s Mikkel Mathiesen along with Saudi Arabia’s Faisal Salhab will receive wild cards for the DP Tour event along with Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi and Ali Al Shahrani.

The four complete the amateur line up in which 140 top-ranked players will be vying for the Mother of Pearl Trophy.

The Qatar Masters is a pro tournament, which was part of the erstwhile European Tour and was founded in 1998, making it the 2nd oldest DP World Tour event on the Arabian Peninsula after the Dubai Desert Classic.

It now forms part of an extended Middle East Swing on the Tour.

The highly anticipated event is organised by Qatar Golf Association (QGA) with the support of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Doha Golf Club (DGC) and long-term title sponsor.

This year, the event returns to its original home at Doha Golf Course, after the last two editions were held at Education City.

Last year, eventual winner Antoine Rozner’s closing 67 helped him ward off the challenge of Italian Guido Migliozzie, South Africa’s Darren Fichardt and Indian star Gaganjeet Bhullar, all who finished tied second, one back.

The event has been previously won by the likes of Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Paul Lawrie and Henrik Stenson and the 2022 edition will see some of the top ranked players in attendance.

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Positive results due to month-long training camp: Saleh Al Kaabi

By Armstrong Vas

DOHA (Qat): Saleh Al Kaabi beleived the positive results of the Qatari golers at the Qatar Open Amateur Championship was due to the month-long intensive training camp.

Last Saturday, Ali Al Shahrani won the tournament becoming only the second Qatari to win the tournament in the 35-year-old history while Al Kaabi finished a joint second and another Qatari Juhaim Al Kuwari came fourth.

The tournament, organized by Qatar Golf Associationin was played in individual stroke play format. Around 108 golfers based in Qatar took part in the three-day tournament.

Al Kaabi was happy that his friend and team-mate Al Shahrani won the title.

Reflecting on the training he had before the tournament, Al Kaabi said: “We had a closed camp for a week. Our coaches worked out a plan and laid emphasis on course management skills.”

Al Kaabi, who had finished second in the same tournament four years back, said the current edition was not easy for golfers.

“The weather conditions were tough for all the three days. It was tough and we had fun. Happy to finish a joint second,” said Al Kaabi.

Incidentally Al Kaabi, Al Shahrani and Jordaan were grouped together in the final round.

“I am happy for Ali. I had said from the beginning that a Qatari will win this year’s tournament,” added Al Kaabi.

Regarding his participation in the upcoming Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as a wild card player, the 26-year-old said he was yet to take call.

“I will decide on it (Qatar Masters) in the coming days,” added Al Kaabi.

Besides Al Shahrani, Jaham Al Kuwari is the other Qatari who will play at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.