Qatar Masters to begin on Thursday

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February 4, 2026
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4-February-2026

Qatar Masters to begin on Thursday

Doha: A world-class field will take centre stage as the 29th edition of the Qatar Masters gets underway on Thursday at the Doha Golf Club, running through Sunday, 5–8 February. The tournament marks the midway point of the International Swing on the DP World Tour calendar.

The Doha Golf Club, which has hosted the championship in 26 of its 28 editions, once again welcomes a strong international line-up. This year’s field is led by Race to Dubai Rankings leader Jayden Schaper, alongside his closest challenger, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed.

Several in-form players will also be in contention for the Mother of Pearl Trophy, including Andy Sullivan, Julien Guerrier, Daniel Hillier and Nacho Elvira, as they look to build on their impressive starts to the season.

The international contingent will be joined by three Qatari amateurs — Saleh Al Kaabi, Ali Al Shahrani and Daniil Sokolov — who will be aiming to make a strong impression on home soil.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East at the DP World Tour, highlighted the long-standing success of the event and the importance of local partnerships. He praised the continued cooperation with the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee, noting that their support has been central to the tournament’s sustained growth.

Phillips also underlined key milestones surrounding this year’s edition, including the participation of seven former champions and three Race to Dubai winners this season. He added that three-time major champion Padraig Harrington is set to make his 500th DP World Tour appearance, marking a notable moment in the tournament’s history.

This year’s course set-up is expected to present a fresh challenge, following upgrades to several tee complexes — notably at the first, sixth, eighth, 13th and 15th holes — enhancing flexibility, turf quality and visual definition. Sustainability remains a central focus, with course management relying on heat-tolerant turfgrasses, efficient irrigation systems and data-driven water usage suited to the desert environment.

DP World Tour Senior Tournament Director Mikael Eriksson expressed confidence in both the conditions and the playing surface ahead of Thursday’s opening round, describing the course as being in exceptional condition and forecasting largely favourable weather throughout the week.

Meanwhile, Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad Nasser Al Naimi voiced optimism regarding the participation of the Qatari players, describing the Qatar Masters as a valuable opportunity for them to gain experience at the highest level. He also reaffirmed the tournament’s status as one of Qatar’s leading sporting events, highlighting the strength of the 144-player field assembled for this year’s championship.