Weekley to star in Qatar Masters

US Ryder Cup star Boo Weekley will be aiming to become the first American winner of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy when he tees up at Doha Golf Club from January 22-25, 2009. The colourful star from Florida, a key player in Paul Azinger’s US victory over Europe in this year’s Ryder Cup, will make his Middle East debut at the $2.5 million tournament, organised in co-operation between the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) and Commercialbank. “Boo Weekley certainly brought something different to the Ryder Cup so we expect him to be a big favourite with the galleries in Qatar,” said QGA President Hassan Al Nuami. “Although the tournament has been staged eleven times, it has never been won by an American player. But Boo has the talent and the game to win in Doha, although I am sure he knows it won’t be easy over a course we believe is the toughest on the ‘desert swing’.” Thomas Brent Weekley may have hit the headlines for colourful admissions that he has wrestled alligators and been the loser in a fight with an orang-utan but he is also a world-class golfer with two US PGA titles under his belt. Currently ranked 40th in the world, Weekley - nicknamed after cartoon character Yogi Bear’s sidekick Boo Boo - claimed his first Tour victory at the Verizon Heritage in April 2007. His good form at the start of 2007 included two other top ten finishes, which helped him climb into the world’s top fifty players. The same year he teamed up with Heath Slocum at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup where they finished as runners-up. This year, Weekley successfully defended his title at the Verizon Heritage but it was as a rookie at the Ryder Cup that he rose to world prominence with a final day 4&2 win over Oliver Wilson and the memorable sight of ‘riding’ his driver down the first fairway. “The Ryder Cup was more than I dreamed of,” said Weekley. “As players, normally we are out there trying to beat each other each and every day. It was pretty neat that we all kind of came together and actually thrived off of one another - it was just an amazing experience.” Growing up in Milton, Florida, Weekley didn’t watch much golf on television and while most successful pros intend to play tournament golf as long as they can, he can't wait to be home in Jay, Florida with wife Karyn and son Thomas. "I want to play ten, twelve years, whatever it takes to get enough money in my bank and I'm done," he said. "I love the game, but I get tired of being away from my family. I get tired of being away from my friends. I love to play the game, but my heart is really with hunting and fishing." Commercialbank Group CEO Andrew Stevens said he is delighted to have the popular American in the 2009 line-up. “Boo Weekley is one of the great characters in world golf and I think we’re all excited about him playing in Doha in January,” he said.