DEFENDING CHAMPION: South African Justin Harding defeated nine players by two shots at Doha Golf Club last year, reaching 13-under-par, 275.

COURSE: Education City Golf Club, in Doha, was designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and opened in late 2018. The course will welcome the European Tour for the first time this week, so there are still plenty of unknowns about what has become only the second golf club in Qatar.

PRIZEMONEY: US$1,750,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Perth’s Min Woo Lee was disappointing at the Oman Open last week – missing the cut with rounds of 77 and 76 – and will be looking to match or improve upon his share of 20th at this event last year. The 21-year-old will still be oozing confidence following his Vic Open title last month and should be right in this if he plays anywhere near his best.

RIGHT: Justin Harding won his first Tour title at this event last year, defeating nine players by two shots. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

Englishman Ross Fisher has been in superb form in the Middle East, sharing sixth place at the Saudi International and 10th place at the Oman Open in his two most recent starts. The five-time European Tour winner hasn’t tasted victory on Tour since 2014 and will be desperate to strike while the iron is hot. He has never finished better than T25 (2008) at this event, however.

72-HOLE RECORD: Paul Lawrie (1999) and Queenslander Adam Scott (2008) both won here with four round totals of 20-under-par, 268.

RECENT AUSSIE WINNERS: Adam Scott (2008 & 2002).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Maverick Antcliff, Scott Hend, Jake McLeod, Min Woo Lee and Jason Scrivener.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 506 LIVE 10pm – 1am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 11pm – 1am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 10pm – 12:30am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8pm – 12:30am)
*AEDT, check local guides