Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn, two-time winner Paul Lawrie, Chris Wood (2013), Robert Karlsson (2010) Alvaro Quiros (2009) and Darren Fichardt (2003) pose for a photograph at Doha Golf Club.
Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn praised the growth of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in its first two decades after the big Dane joined a star-studded cast of former champions for a special photo call honouring the tournament’s 20th edition.
Bjorn, 45, competed in the first Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 1998 and won the tournament in 2011, one of his 15 European Tour titles in his illustrious career that has been further boosted by his appointment as the continent’s Ryder Cup Captain in 2018.
Bjorn was joined at a photo call by two-time winner Paul Lawrie – who also competed in 1998 – Chris Wood (2013), Robert Karlsson (2010) Alvaro Quiros (2009) and Darren Fichardt (2003), while four-time Major winner Ernie Els is another former winner who has returned to compete this week.
“I remember the early editions of it in the sense of coming here. Obviously it was so new and we didn’t know what to expect. Golf in the whole region was in its infancy as you’d only had the Dubai Desert Classic for a few years, so it was an interesting time to come,” said Bjorn, who won his first European Tour title in 1996 and captured the Dubai Desert Classic in 2001.
“You come to Qatar now and it’s just amazing. It’s an amazing development in such a short space of time. As a tournament, the weather’s so good, the facilities are nice, and everything here has just grown, grown and grown. This golf tournament now just sits so well with the golf players and this whole three-week Desert Swing blends together so well.”
Bjorn admitted he was delighted to finally win the Commercial Bank Qatar masters in 2011 – 13 years after his tournament debut – and join an increasingly impressive roll call of champions. Other winners include two-time winners Adam Scott and Branden Grace, Major winners Henrik Stenson and Retief Goosen, and Ryder Cup stalwart Sergio Garcia.
“It was great to finally win here. I always felt like this golf course should suit me really well. I was working hard towards doing well here and I knew I could do well, but I never quite got it done until 2011,” Bjorn said.
Bjorn believes the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has played a huge role in Qatar becoming a sporting hub for the region and a proven organiser of world-class events.
“When you look back at the 20 years, it has been amazing. When we first came here, we would never have imagined that it would be hosting a FIFA World Cup in the future,” Bjorn said.
“When we first came here, we thought it was so different, but you could see the attraction and the potential, and we’ve watched how Qatar has put itself on the world map. When they put events on, they do it so well.
“It’s important for Qatar that they keep producing these world-class events, putting themselves on the map and showing how well they do them, especially in the lead-up to the World Cup.”
Last week Bjorn tied for 23rd at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and said he’s still maintaining his focus on his own game, despite the increased time taken up off the course by his Ryder Cup role.
“At the moment, I’m still focused on my own golf. There are obviously a lot of things behind the scenes that need to be in place for the Ryder Cup, but now the players need to go and play,” said Bjorn, who has been a Ryder Cup Vice-Captain four times, in 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2016.
Ryder Cup veterans Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell are also among the players who have returned to Qatar to compete in this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which tees off tomorrow.
