The Commercialbank Qatar Masters

January 23rd, 2009

The strongest field of the year so far rolled into Doha Golf Club, Doha, for the Qatar Masters and all eyes were on Titleist ambassador Adam Scott. This was understandable given the fact that he is the defending champion this week; but that wasn’t the only reason for all the attention. Adam arrived in Qatar in timely fashion for the event, ready for his usual pre-tournament practice routine. However, something very important was missing – his bag of Titleist clubs! Adam had made the trip from Honolulu, Hawaii, following a second place finish at The Sony Open this past weekend only to find that the airline had misplaced his clubs.

Click here to check out the photo gallery

Out on Tour, problems don’t get much bigger than this one and unfortunately the Titleist Tour Vehicle (our mobile workshop) was not on site, making a solution that little bit more challenging. After raising the alarm, and moving to DEFCON 3, the Titleist Tour team arranged for a brand new set to be assembled for Adam at our European Headquarter in the UK. Built in double-quick time, the set was transported to London’s Heathrow Airport with a one-way ticket to Qatar and arrived with him on Thursday morning for the start of the tournament – a great team effort! However, I am glad to report that they were ultimately not required. On Thursday morning, Adam’s original set also arrived safely allowing him to start his defence with his usual 909 metals, AP2 Irons, Vokey Wedges and new Prototype Scotty Cameron Putter.

Another player in the field this week is Scott’s fellow Australian, Titleist Ambassador Brett Rumford. Brett is a proven winner on the European Tour and is looking to re-establish himself after playing the bulk of his golf stateside on the PGA Tour in 2008. Rumford is renowned for having superb touch on and around the greens and this will be put to the test around Doha Golf Club where quick, firm, undulating greens are the order of the day. Brett spent a good deal of time working with a new Scotty Cameron Studio Select 2.7 putter this week and has taken it away for further testing. Following the first two rounds Brett’s entire game certainly seems to be in shape with rounds of 67 (-5) and 69 (-3) putting him right in contention.

Finland’s Mikko Ilonen is another Titleist ambassador with new equipment, having this week taken delivery of two new Vokey wedges. Mikko set to work with some short game practice in order to familiarise himself with the new wedges and has subsequently put them straight into tournament play. You can take a look at Mikko’s new 60° wedge in this week’s photo gallery.

Next week it’s Dubai for the European Tour as we move to The Emirates Golf Club for The Dubai Desert Classic. As one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour calendar, the event will once again attract a strong field. The field will include a number of Titleist staffers including Martin Kaymer, who will be looking to go one better than his second place finish last year. Stay tuned for next week’s Blog!!!

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