With war seemingly just over the horizon security has been increased for the European golf tour event being played in Qatar this week. “Just to reassure the guys we've upped the police and security guard presence at the hotels and around the perimeter of the course,” said director of the Qatar Masters David Probyn. “We have contacts here with the military, the golf association and with Qatar Airlines, who have assured us that even in the event of war they will run their normal schedule. The military use a different airport. They've also said we could secure a charter flight if we needed one,” Probyn added. However, the added measures do not even come close to the steps taken for last September's Ryder Cup at The Belfry, where everybody entering the grounds was searched each day and armed officers provided round-the-clock protection.
Over 50 players decided not to make the trip for one reason or another, including Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Mark James and previous winners Paul Lawrie, Andrew Coltart and Adam Scott. But they have all been replaced and the 150-strong field can still boast three members of last year's winning Ryder Cup team in Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Phillip Price. The chance to win Stg£156,000 is also tempting for those lower-ranked players whose opportunities on the main circuit come only occasionally and for whom victory would change their lives - as it did for Holland's Robert-Jan Derksen, the world number 593, when he beat world number two Ernie Els to the Dubai title. Derksen was playing only because of the withdrawal of Tiger Woods due to safety fears.
Filed by James Boylan.
