Scott ready for hat-trick of Qatar titles

Australian golfer Adam Scott tries his best to always defend a title no matter where in the world it is.

True to his principles, Scott will be hoping for a third title when he lines up for the Qatar Masters this week, which is the second leg of the European Tour’s three-tournament Gulf swing that ends with the Dubai Desert Classic next week.

Fresh from a second place at the Sony Open on the PGA Tour, Scott was a popular winner last year when he scored a stunning 61 on the final round to claim victory.

The world number 14, however, faces a tough task with a host of top 50 players also in the field. Leading the way is Englishman Paul Casey, who is in hot form having triumphed at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship.

Also vying for glory are Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Soren Hansen, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson and English trio Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Oliver Wilson.

Boosting the field further is South African Ernie Els, the 2005 Qatar winner one of the major drawcards in world golf no matter what form he is in.

Another attractive name in the line-up is American Boo Weekley, a two-time PGA Tour winner who has decided to make several forays into the European Tour this season.

Weekley’s favourite pastimes are hunting and fishing, which is what there is plenty of in Palm Springs, California.

However, the American has decided to play in Qatar instead of the Bob Hope Classic, which is one of the big events on the PGA Tour and tees off this week.

It is the only 90-hole event on the circuit and sees the return of veteran Arnold Palmer, who won the inaugural tournament in 1960 and is a five-time winner. He will be acting as host for the 50th edition, which sees golfers playing over three courses during the five days.

It was also the final tournament Palmer ever won on the PGA Tour, according to the tour website, when he claimed the 1973 title.

DJ Trahan won last year’s event with a final round of 65 that put him 26 under for the tournament and earned him a three-stroke victory over Justin Leonard.

Missing from this year’s line-up is rising star Anthony Kim who was forced to pull out of the tournament because of a shoulder injury.


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