Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2024: Field, betting odds, and tee times for the fifth International Swing Event on the DP World Tour

DP World Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

The DP World Tour heads to Doha Golf Club for the 2024 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters which is the final event on the Persian Gulf until the DP World Tour returns in November for the Play-Offs in the UAE

The DP World Tour returns to Qatar just 102 days after the conclusion of the 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The 2024 renewal is being played earlier in the year, once again, as part of the International Swing.

The fifth event of the International Swing is being played at Doha Golf Club. This is the last time the players will be teeing it up on the Persian Gulf until they (hopefully) return in November to the UAE for the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

There might not be as much pressure on the field to produce their best golf this week as there was in October. The previous renewal of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters was the final event of the regular season, which meant it was the final opportunity for players to secure a top 50 ranking they needed to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai.

Further still, only the top 116 ranked players secured their tour cards for the 2024 season. Fortunately, this year the stakes aren’t as high but there is still a coveted prize to play for.

The winner of this event will etch their name in history with previous winners such as Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn, and Sergio Garcia, who have all won this event since its inception in 1998.

In 2023, it was Finland’s Sami Valimaki who emerged victorious after the four rounds. After 72 holes the Finn was tied with Spain’s Jorge Campillo who was eventually defeated by Valimaki on the first playoff hole.

It was Valimaki’s second victory on the DP World Tour. His first came at the 2020 Oman Open. Sadly, the Finn won’t be back this year to defend his title. Following his impressive 2023 season on the DP World Tour Valimaki earned himself a PGA Tour card so he’ll be playing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open this week.

Although last year’s winner won’t be teeing it up this week, the 2023 runner-up and 2020 champion, Campillo is in the field, where he bids to become the first player since Branden Grace to defend his title at the Doha Golf Club.

Following the action in Qatar, the tour takes a one-week break before venturing over to Kenya for the Magical Kenya Open, the sixth event of the International Swing, and the first of three events in Africa.

Who is playing in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters?

The most recent champion of this event playing this week is Ewen Ferguson. The 2022 winner took advantage of the 54-hole leader, Adrian Meronk (who’ll be playing in the LIV Golf Las Vegas tournament this week), carding a final round 75. The Scot won at seven-under-par, which is the highest winning score in the history of this event. Also in the field this week is last week’s Bahrain Championship victor, Dylan Frittelli.

The previous two second-place finishers, Rasmus Hojgaard and Zander Lombard are both playing this week at Doha Golf Club. They arrive as the two headline names playing this week, being the only two players in the top 100 teeing it up in Qatar for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

There is a small handful of other past champions joining Ferguson and Campillo in returning to Qatar this week in the hope of winning this event for the second time. They include 2021 winner Antoine Rozner, 2018 champion Eddie Pepperell, 2017 victor Wang Jeung-hun, 2013 first-place finisher Chris Wood, 2009 winner Alvaro Quirios, and 2003 champion Darren Fichardt.

Take a look at the full list of players teeing it up in the Bahrain Championship and how they qualified here.

What is the format of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters?

It is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds) that sees the leading 65 players and ties make the final two rounds. The player who achieves the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Where is the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters being played?

The Qatar Masters is played at the Doha Golf Club, located in a northern district of the Arab state’s capital city. The par-72 course designed by Peter Harradine measures 7,466 yards and was one of the first grass golf courses built in the Middle East.

Former champion Adam Scott shot an 11-under par 61 in 2008 en route to his second title at the Doha Golf Club which remains the course record today.

The 2020 and 2021 editions of the event were hosted at Education City Golf Club while the Doha Golf Club underwent a major renovation including the relaying of all 18 greens.

Both courses are considered among the best golf courses in the Middle East and North Africa.

Who will win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters?

The field is wide open in Doha but there is one clear favorite among bookmakers, and that is Rasmus Hojgaard. The Dane has been the favorite for the past two events on the DP World Tour. Will he defy favoritism and win this week in Qatar?

It’s no surprise to see both Yannik Paul and Zander Lombard sharing second favoritism in the betting considering they are the second and third highest ranked players in the field. Both the German and South African have had a top-5 finish this season, and they’re short enough to suggest they could gain their first victory of the season this week.

The shortest-priced previous winner of this tournament at 28/1 is Antoine Rozner.

Selected odds (correct at 5 pm GMT on Feb 5, 2024)

Rasmus Hojgaard 10/1

Yannik Paul 18/1

Zander Lombard 18/1

Thristan Lawrence 25/1

Antoine Rozner 28/1

Ewen Ferguson 33/1

Alex Fitzpatrick 40/1

Dylan Frittelli 66/1

Shubhankar Sharma 100/1

How much does the winner of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters receive?

The total purse is $2.5 million, decreased from $3.75 million in 2023. The winner is set to receive $425,000, $200,000 less than last year’s winner who took home $625,125.

How to watch the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf

All times GMT

Thursday, February 8: Sky Sports Golf, 05.30

Friday, February 9: Sky Sports Golf, 05.30

Saturday, February 10: Sky Sports Golf, 05.00

Sunday, February 11: Sky Sports Golf, 05.00

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel

All times EST

Thursday, February 8: Golf Channel, 04.00

Friday, February 9: Golf Channel, 04.00

Saturday, February 10: Golf Channel, 04.30

Sunday, February 11: Golf Channel, 03.30

Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2023: Tee times and groups

Tees times and groupings for the opening two rounds can be viewed here.

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.