(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) World No. 5 Henrik Stenson will star in his 16th straight Commercial Bank Qatar Masters when the 19th edition of the European Tour showpiece is held at Doha Golf Club from 27 € 30 January.
The six-foot three-inch Swede, who had surgery on his right knee in early December, strengthens a star-studded line-up also featuring Spanish superstar Sergio Garcia and South African sensation Branden Grace, the 2014 and 2015 champions respectively.
Stenson, 39, lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy in 2006 € Commercial Bank's first year as the event's title sponsor € and finished runner-up three times, in 2005, 2008 and 2009.
"It has been 10 years since I won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, but it doesn't feel that long ago as I also came close several times and have a lot of good memories over the years," said Stenson, who last January shot a closing 66 to tie for 13th.
"It's always a course I feel I can play well on, so I'm looking forward to returning. I was in good form before the surgery, so I'm hoping to regain that form as soon as I can, while also looking after my knee." Stenson, who lived in Dubai for a decade before moving to the US in early 2012, has competed in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters every year since joining The European Tour in 2001, only missing the first three editions of the event since its inauguration in 1998.
A nine-time European Tour winner, the Swede won the Race to Dubai in 2013 and currently leads the 2016 table after finishing runner-up in last month's Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.
"I had a solid season last year, but of course I'd like to do well in Doha as a key event at the start of 2016. It's a tournament I always look forward to as the weather's great, the course is fair and there's a good crowd."
Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association, said: "Henrik Stenson's continued commitment to the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, for a 16th straight year, is remarkable and a tribute to a tournament that inspires strong loyalty from top players. Sergio Garcia will be playing for a 10th straight year and 11th in total.
Both Sergio and Henrik will again be among the most popular players along with our defending champion, Branden Grace." Stenson, Garcia and Grace are among several big names to have lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy since Commercial Bank began its title sponsorship in 2006.
Other big names include former World No. 1 Adam Scott, two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen, 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie, former European Tour No. 1 Robert Karlsson and Thomas Bjorn, a 15-time European Tour champion.
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