Adam Scott Wins Qatar Masters

Bringing this news makes me very happy - and on Australia Day Weekend too!!

I had always thought that when Adam Scott finally broke his tournament drought it was going to be a sparkling performance and it didn't disappoint. It was one of the most amazing final rounds I have ever witnessed. His putting has always been a slight week point, but not today. He made five successive birdies in the first five holes he never looked back.

Stay tuned - I will post the full final days play news here when I have it.

Edit: I finally found the report

Australia's Adam Scott produced a record final round of 11-under-par 61 to win the Qatar Masters by three strokes on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Scott started the day tied for fifth place but came out firing to stun his rivals with a total of 20-under 268 and finish ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

"This is my lowest ever score but the thought of a course record was never on my mind," said Scott, who became the first player to take the title for a second time after winning in 2002.

He was in terrific form from the start, sinking birdies on all the first five holes. He added another birdie on the seventh for a front-nine 30.

His return journey was also impressive, with birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th. After missing a birdie putt on the 14th he made amends with another two birdies on the 15th and 17th.

He said overnight rain and occasional drizzle on Sunday had made the course soft but added that the Doha Golf Course was tailor-made for him.

"It's a driver's course and it suits my game," he said.

The lowest score at the Qatar Masters was previously the seven-under 65 set by Sweden's Joakim Haeggman in 2004, which was later equalled by 2005 winner Ernie Els of South Africa.

Scott's sixth European Tour victory earned him a winner's cheque of $416,660 and moved him up three places to fifth in the world rankings.

Stenson finished second with 271 while South African Charl Schwartzel was third on 273. Stenson had a final round of seven-under 65 while Schwartzel carded a five-under 67.

Stenson, who had a share of second place overnight, equalled the previous course record with a seven-birdie final round. England's Lee Westwood also hit 65 but finished fifth after a poor third round, two shots ahead of Scotland's Colin Montgomerie.

Golf News: Qatar Golf Masters Round 2 Wrap

Swede Johan Edfors shot a scintillating six under par 66 to take a two-shot lead going into the third round at the 2.5 million dollar Qatar Masters on Friday.

Edfors, who was tied for the second place in a pack of six players on 69 at the end of the first round on Thursday, blazed a birdie trail at the Doha Golf course on a day when the chill caught many by surprise.

He hit the best score of the tournament so far, which included seven birdies and a bogey on the fourth.

Enjoying a purple patch on the front nine, he picked up successive birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes to set himself up nicely for the rest of the tournament with an aggregate of nine-under-par 135.

Trailing Edfors by two shots were South African Charl Schwartzel and England's Lee Westwood on seven-under-par 137, while Sweden's Alexander Noren, South African Anton Haig, Englishmen Ross McGowan and David Howell were in third place a shot behind.

Westwood, the joint overnight leader, stroked a 70 in the second round following his 67 in Thursday, a dropped shot on the 14th hole denying him a clear-cut second spot.

England's Paul Casey, former winner Joakim Haeggman and Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer was among those who missed the cut which was set at 145...

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Retief Goosen Swing Vision

I guess this post is a little ironic - swing vision of someone having trouble with their vision, but I thought that it might be of interest. Retief certainly has an awesome swing and he will be missed from the Qatar Masters as he tries to overcome this vision problem. Enjoy.

Goosen withdraws with vision problems

The title may be a little misleading, Goosen doesn't have a lack of drive, goals or vision, but a problem with his eyes after corrective laser surgery:

Retief Goosen's hopes of becoming the first golfer to win the European Tour's Qatar Masters on two occasions were wrecked on Wednesday when he was forced to withdraw with vision problems.

The South African came to Doha after undergoing corrective laser surgery ten days ago but during practice on Tuesday, his vision in one eye began to blur. He immediately travelled to Dubai for further treatment and was hopeful of playing the event even on Tuesdy night. However, he announced his withdrawal Wednesday morning, saying he was still having problems with his vision.

Goosen said: "I am obviously very sad that I am unable to defend my title. I came all this way to play but unfortunately the eye is causing a problem.

"I thought it would come good but it hasn't. I went to Dubai yesterday and the advice was to go back to London for treatment.

"It is a shame as I love this event, love this course and I can't remember the last time I pulled out of a tournament."

The absence of Goosen, twice a winner of the US Open, is a body blow for a tournament that has grown in stature over the last few years and taken its central role in what has become known as the "Desert Swing" which includes the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic.

Goosen joins fellow South African Ernie Els on the sidelines following the latter's decision to skip Doha this year and play instead in the Indian Masters...

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