Vinay Nayudu
Doha
Qatar’s Doha Golf Club course presents its own challenge to golfers from round the globe. With some rain and windy conditions expected towards the weekend, the scheduled $2.5 million Asian Tour International Series Qatar is therefore likely to throw up thrills galore for fans from November 27-30.
The mix of 120 golfers is headed by Patrick Reed, who recently claimed a superb three-shot victory at the Link Hong Kong Open last week, and admits it was a big relief to finally get into double digits with a ‘long overdue’ 10th career win.
The 2018 Masters champion has had a number of near misses, with 10 top-five finishes since joining the LIV Golf League in 2022.
Last week, he showed his talent on the famous Composite Course at Fanling, with the highlight being a sensational 11-under-par 59 in the third round of the tournament, the first of three events closing out The International Series and the Asian Tour season.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday for the penultimate event of the season which gets underway on Wednesday, Reed said: "That was huge. I have been trying to get that 10th win, get to double digits for a while now, and it has been frustrating, because I feel like the game’s been there. I just haven’t quite gotten over the line.
"It feels great to come out and feel like the game was where it needed to be, and finally get to the 10th win. It felt like it was a long time overdue.”
It will be Reed’s first taste of the Doha Golf Club course, complete with notoriously tricky windy conditions. Having played the front and back nine since arriving on Monday, he said: "The golf course is in really good shape, and you have to hit fairways.
"With the rough, the ball never sits up. It always just figures out a way to go the bottom. And so you know it is going to be crucial to hit the tee shot solid. Hit it straight. And you know you will control some iron shots. "
Ben Campbell was Reed’s nearest challenger last week, and this tournament is crucial to the New Zealander as he tries to overtake John Catlin at the top of The International Series Rankings and win a place on the LIV Golf League next season.
When asked about how he would take on the notoriously windy Doha Golf Club track, Campbell said: "I grew up living in a place where there was always a lot of wind (New Zealand). So I’m looking forward to this. I think the wind’s going to get up.
"I’m looking forward to it. The course is in amazing shape, the rough is pretty long. But the greens are rolling amazing. So it’s going to be class. I’m looking forward to it.”
Qatar golfers, the experienced Saleh Al Kaabi and the much younger Daniil Sokolov will be in action aiming to put up their best.
"This is my fourth International Series event and I am confident. Particularly, after a good performance in the recent Arab Championship in the UAE. I am looking forward to a strong performance,” said Al Kaabi.
"I’m gonna build more and get better this year with our new coach. And I hope all the best for other players. Thanks for International series and for the same time to the federation for all the support they provide. That’s really good for us. Thanks to all who help us to be on.”
Sokolov said, "Competing with leading golfers is an honour and I am hoping to give my best. I know this course well and I will play my game and try to secure a good finish.”
Moroccan golf sensation Adam Bresnu, who’s currently the No. 1 ranked golfer in US collegiate golf, is also there and said he is proud to be representing the region. "I’m really happy to be here and it’s an honour for me to present my country and also to represent Arabs.”
The 20-year-old Bresnu was recently instrumental in Morocco’s victory in the Pan Arab Golf Championship firing a stunning 16-under-par.
International Series Qatar takes place at Doha Golf Club from Wednesday to Saturday.
For tickets and further information, please visit www.internationalseries.com.