World #1 up for grabs as the focus is back on middle east for the next 2 weeks

Since I hear this name butchered so often here is the official pronunciation of "Qatar", the sight of this week's Qatar Masters where England’s Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer of Germany, who currently occupy the top 2 spots of the Official World Golf Ranking, headline the 132-strong entry, which also includes Paul Casey and Steve Stricker

The most accurate English estimate is something halfway between "cutter" and "gutter." It's not "KUH-tar," the pronunciation that has become the standard among TV newscasters.


So 4 of the world's top 7 will contend along with defending champion Robert Karlsson, John Daly who wasn't invited to Phoenix, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Retief Goosen and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and the world's #1 spot is up for grabs. Martin Kaymer needs to either win with Westwood finishing outside the top two, or finish second and Westwood outside the top 22, if he is to take over the top spot

What does the world #1 think of the course  “When you get rough like you do in Doha, it is a good driver's golf course so I would expect it to suit me. It's almost like a Major Championship setup with firm greens and thick rough. With its firm greens, you can get close to the flags – but you need to be mentally strong as it is a thinking man's golf course

As for the defending champ, 6'6" Robert Karlsson. “I definitely think it is one of the best golf courses we play on Tour because there is a good mix of holes. There is everything from testing par fives to drivable par fours and tough par threes, plus there is always wind. It is challenging.”



PGA Tour

Phil Mickelson is the only headliner here, and Stephan Ames is the only Canuck at what is now known as the Waste Management Phoenix Open one of the more eh malodorous titles on tour. It was originally the Arizona Open back in 1932 then the Phoenix Invitational Open til 2003 when it became the FBR which is just a boring old banking/investment firm.

Another of our Sean Foleys' pupils, Hunter Mahan defends his title.

Like everyone under 50 these days, I have my own twitter site and like to read the PGA Pros on Twitter daily. This week a beauty from our own Chris Baryla who has MC in his first 3 starts..

" Man, PGA Tour is the life…beautiful locations…weekends off! I’ve got it made! "


CHAMPIONS Tour

The Champions tour is off this week.After a couple of week's in Hawaii the old guys move to Florida next.

Feb. 11 - 13 Allianz Championship

The Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton, Florida
Bernhard Langer defends
Canuck  Rod Spittle

Bryan Angus