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Press release The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will move to Education City Golf Club in 2020, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the tournament, which takes place from March 5-8, 2020. The event has moved across the Qatari capital from Doha Golf Club for the first time in its 23-year history to Education City Golf Club - a landmark project for Qatar and the world of golf - which offers a revolutionary and holistic approach to growing the game.
Designed by two-time Masters Champion Jose Maria Olazábal, the venue comprises 33 holes split into three courses; 18 holes, nine holes and six holes. The facility also includes a state-of-the-art learning and practice facility housed in the Centre of Excellence and is at the heart of Qatar’s vision to grow the game in the Middle Eastern country.
Reigning champion Justin Harding, who won his first European Tour title at last year’s event, will defend his crown next month and is relishing the opportunity to tackle the Education City layout. “Qatar will always be a special tournament for me as I won my first European Tour title there and I am excited to return to defend it.
“I obviously enjoyed the event last year and I’m looking forward to seeing Education City next month. The golf course looks amazing and I am sure we will be well looked after. “My victory last year was life-changing because it meant I could choose which events I wanted to play and this tournament was one of the first on my schedule.”
Michael Braidwood, General Manager at Education City Golf Club said: “It is an honour to welcome the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to Education City next month. “The tournament is one of the country’s premier sporting events which attracts a global TV audience and international visitors to Qatar and we are incredibly excited to play a part in its future. “Golf is a growing game in Qatar and we want to be at the forefront of that growth and help shape the golfing landscape through our principles at Education City.”
Harding joined a who’s who of world golf when he lifted the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters last season. Since it was first included on the European Tour International Schedule in 1998, former winners of the event have included Major champions Ernie Els (2005), Sergio Garcia (2014), Retief Goosen (2007), Paul Lawrie (1999, 2012), Adam Scott (2002, 2008) and Henrik Stenson (2006) and Europe’s victorious 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn (2011).