[madsteve]

Qatar Masters

This event is played at the Doha Golf Club and the form from previous years gives us a pretty clear identikit picture of our likely winner. The course favours good driving distance but less so driving accuracy as the rough is short and not to be feared much. GIR and putting accuracy are the other key attributes here. It is also noticeable that previous winners here are players that perform well on links courses so looking at links winners could be useful.

The wind can be a big factor here but the weather reports are inconclusive as to when the wind will hit but it could easily rule out half the field if it hits at the wrong time. It usually takes a score between -14 & -20 to win here so birdies on the par five holes is important.

Also this tournament is played Wednesday - Saturday so don't forget to get on early.

Branden Grace & Sergio Garcia lead the betting followed by Pieters, Oosterhuizen & Fitzpatrick.

I think the bookies appear to have the odds about right so I am betting smaller this week and have covered more players.

Branden Grace 8/1

Grace is a worthy favourite. He won here last year with a total of -19. He meets the profile to do well on this course and is in form, finishing in the Top Eight in all of his last five tournaments including Tied 5th last week at Abu Dhabi.

Sergio Garcia 9/1

Garcia won here two years ago so is proven over the course. It is his first event of the year so form is uncertain but when he is hot, he is hot & could easily hit six birdies on the trot to boost his chances. Think the price is about fair.

Thomas Pieters 20/1

I was hoping for a better price but the combination of last week's second place and course that is ideal for him, means the bookies are taking no chances. He belts his drives a long way and shouldn't get in too much trouble with wayward drives, meaning he should be chasing birdies on all the par five holes. He is also more than capable around the green & is usually a top putter.

Rafa Cabrera Bello 40/1

Think 40/1 is great value for another player ideally suited by this course. He has two third place finishes in this event and looked good last week in his first event of the year, finishing 14th. He should go closer this week.

Trevor Fisher Jnr 90/1

He has performed well this season but is still under the radar so 90/1 is great value. In his three tournaments this year, he has finished Tied 8th, Tied 13th & Tied 16th.

Bryson De Chambeau 80/1

Showed his potential last week, leading after Round One. Will have learned from that and will last longer this time. 80/1 is about right but I will stand by my man.

I think there are quite a few others who should do well and were on my long list including Chris Wood, Alejandro Canizares, Thomas Bjorn, Mikko Ilonen, Eddie Pepperell, Tyrrell Hatton, Marc Warren, Brett Rumford & Michael Hoey.

There will be a high luck factor but hopefully with six players, we get some that get best of the conditions.

Good Luck!