Qatar Masters Power Rankings: Top ten at Doha Golf Club

The European Tour wraps up its Middle East swing at this week’s Qatar Masters. Who will take home the distinctive mother of pearl trophy?

Before too long, the European Tour season will be able to actually host some events in Europe. For now, we stay in the arid climes of the Middle East for the 21st edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in the capital city of Doha.

This week’s course, which has hosted every year, is a 7,348-yard par-72. Doha GC is a desert style track that has eight artificial lakes to add to the challenge.

It’s a relatively exposed course with wind as one of its greater defenses. This week’s weather looks to be dry with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and winds between 10-15 miles per hour.

The winning score has consistently been between 14-19 under-par. In the Qatar Masters’ 20-year history, only one winning score was single digits under par and only two that reached the record 20-under.

As the tournament surpasses two decades in Qatar, it hasn’t yet led to a swell of golf talent. Ali Al Shahrani, a 23-year-old amateur, ranked No. 1,936 in the world, is the nation’s top talent who will be teeing it up this week.

One of the more unique trophies is on the line. The field will be vying for a mother of pearl trophy that pays homage to Qatar’s pearl diving industry.

Unfortunately, the European Tour fields are a little scant this time of year during the buildup to the Masters Tournament. Nonetheless, there are still plenty of talented players who are in the Middle East this week, and they’re sure to make things interesting.

They’ll follow in the footsteps of past champions like Paul Lawrie (’99, ’12), Adam Scott (’02, ’08), Ernie Els (’05), Henrik Stenson (’06), Retief Goosen (’07), Robert Karlsson (’10), Thomas Bjorn (’11), Sergio Garcia (’13) and Branden Grace (’15-’16).

Here are five who could be flashing their pearly whites for the camera alongside the pearl trophy.