Despite the perpetual focus on football since winning the right to host FIFA 2022, Qatar’s been a sports haven for years, particularly if you roam the links. All eyes will be on the primped 18-holes of the Doha Golf Course this month for this year’s Commercialbank Qatar Masters. Stepping onto the green centre stage will be Graeme McDowell for the first time in two years.

‘I didn’t give the supporters a whole lot to shout about in 2011 but hopefully I’ll get back to my winning ways in 2012 - I’m really excited about this year and will start my new season on the European Tour in the Middle East,’ says the Northern Irish golfer, adding that he viewed 2011 as a ‘transitional year’.

Ranked World Number 13, 2010 was a banner year for McDowell, with wins at the US Open at Pebble Beach and The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales, as well as being awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. He was the first European golfer to win the US Open in 40 years, catapulting McDowell (or ‘G-Mac’ as he’s often known) into the headlines and even onto televisions screens, with appearances and even a cameo on Entourage.

Even though he claims 2011 was a stepping stone, he still managed to stay in the top twenty of the Official World Golf Ranking, including four top-five finishes and coming in 16th in the year-long Race to Dubai.

‘Last year was tough, no doubt about it. I learned a lot of things about myself like how to deal with being a Major Champion and how to deal with being one of the top players in the world. But the last three or four months have been great and there have been a lot of positives,’ he says.

Now he’s back in Doha, competing for the $2.5 million purse and the Mother of Pearl trophy. Held since 1998, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, saw 120 of the world’s best golfers come to town last year, with equally impressive numbers expected this year. Included in that list are several players McDowell played with when he helped Europe defeat the USA in the 2010 Ryder Cup. Last year, Swedish golf great Thomas Bjorn walked away with the honours, but this year many golf enthusiasts are placing their money on McDowell.

The Commercialbank Qatar Masters, presented by Dolphin Energy, takes over the Doha Golf Course Feb 1-5, with Pro Am on Feb 1 and rounds starting on Feb 2. On the first two tournament days, first group tees off at 6.30am, second at 10.50am. On days 3-4, groups tee off from 6.45am. Tickets are QR50 per day or QR175 for season pass, both include access to field of play and public village with refreshment outlets and live entertainment. For more information, see www.qatar-masters.com.

What else is on?

In addition to golf, the public village puts on a show with golf clinics, demonstrations, kids activities, plus live bands including Billy Ocean and Arrested Development