Doha: Sergio Garcia and 17-year-old Qatari Sami Qush will both seek a third straight victory in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Challenge Match at Doha Golf Club on Monday.
Four-time Major winner Ernie Els and 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen will also captain groups of talented teenagers in the fun-filled team event.
Garcia, an 11-time European Tour winner and seven-time Ryder Cup representative, said: "The Challenge Match has been a great way for me to start the week in Doha and prepare for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. I remember Sami well and also Ahmed from last year, so I hope we can all play well again this time. "I always enjoy playing with juniors and hopefully passing on some helpful advice. All of us find it rewarding to pass on our experience to youngsters and trying to spread the game around the world. We enjoy these events as much as them."
Els, who won his most recent Major title at the 2012 Open Championship, will lead three-handicapper Laila Hrinda (17), Abdulla Abedeen (17), Fahad Mir (14) and Ali Al Mesaifri (15). Oosthuizen, 33, will benefit from teaming up with four teenagers who played in last year’s event.
Abdulrahman Al Naimi (16) – part of Garcia’s team in 2014 – Abdulrahman Al Dehaimi (14) and Nada Mir (16) all played with Stenson last year, while Abdulrahman Al Thani was in Rose’s side.
Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: "The Challenge Match on Monday has become an integral part of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters week and a big focus of the Qatar Golf Association’s development programme.
"Each year several of our leading junior talents spend time playing with and learning from some of the world’s top pros, who kindly give up their time to pass on their experience and knowledge. I know it’s a major highlight for all the youngsters who take part and I want to thank all the pros for providing such a special experience." Els (2005) and Garcia (2014) are former winners of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, while Oosthuizen, playing in Doha for the first time since 2013, was a runner-up in 2009.
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