Retief Goosen is hoping to become the first golfer to win the European Tour's Qatar Masters on two occasions when the 11th edition of the US$2.5 million event gets under way today at the picturesque Doha Golf Club.
The South African responded with a confident "you mean not yet" when told that no player has won the tournament twice since its inception in 1998 when Scotland's Andrew Coltart took the top prize.
Goosen produced a spectacular finish last year, when he holed a 30-foot eagle on the final green to snatch the title from the grip of Australian Nick O'Hern.
As well as giving him his 14th European Tour title, he also extended his record of consecutive winning years on Tour to nine, dating back to 1999. It is the longest current streak of active European Tour players.
However, Goosen failed to capitalize on his dream start to the 2007 season and finished a disappointing 26th when the year ended, a fact he attributed to poor putting
"Last year it was good to kick-start the new season with a victory in Qatar and although I came quite close to winning the Masters at Augusta, I had difficulties with my game," said the two-time US Open winner.
"It was a bit difficult to get my game going -- I was always thinking about my swing, my putting," he said.
In a bid to overcome his problems he is taking the help of a swing coach.
"I am working hard on my swing and have hired a swing coach. My only aim is to play good golf," he said.
The tournament has grown in stature since and now forms part of the "Desert Swing" which includes the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic.
Former winners include players like Ernie Els, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson who have all left their mark on the Gulf circuit with excellent performances in Doha and Dubai over the years.
Although Els has skipped the Doha event this year to include the Indian Masters in his schedule, there are plenty of quality players in the line-up which will ensure a tough contest on the rain-softened Doha Golf Club course.
Australian Scott, ranked eighth in the world, heads the rankings list in Doha which includes 10 players from the world's top 30 making the event the strongest ever in its history.
Although his maiden European Tour success came in the 2001 Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa, it was his stunning six shot victory in the 2002 Qatar Masters which proved the catalyst for the Australian to begin his climb towards golf's upper echelons, an ascent which included a further three European Tour titles.
"It has been a long time since I won back in 2002 and a lot has happened to me since then but I am delighted to now be heading back to Qatar," Scott said on the European Tour Web site.
"The European Tour gave me a chance when I was a young kid turning professional and they extended a lot of invitations to me. Luckily I was able to take advantage of them," he said.
Other players in the top 30 to line up are Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Niclas Fasth, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Scott Verplank and Lee Westwood.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely