The 2022 Qatar Masters will conclude what has been a remarkable run of events which has seen Thomas Pieters rise to the top in Abu Dhabi; Viktor Hovland delight in Dubai and the power hitters Nicoli Hojgaard and Ryan Fox race to the top in Ras Al Khaimah.
Now the spotlight falls on Doha Golf Club and an event that has provided a springboard for some of the gameís greatest players and success stories. Whether it was Adam Scott winning for the first time back in 2002 or Paul Lawrieís victory before going on to win The Open the same year in 1999, the Qatar Masters trophy is engraved with some legendary names. Now the local Qatar golfing community will be shouting for one of their own, 21-year-old, Mikkel Mathiesen.
The reigning Qatar Amateur Open champion was raised in Qatar since his Danish parents moved to the country back in May 2001 when he was just seven months old. At the age of six, one of his fatherís work colleagues took Mikkel to the driving range and that was when the golfing bug bit. In 2010-2014 Mikkel worked with Steven Troup at Doha Golf Club and the Peter Harradine-designed course became his playground, albeit a challenging one!
It came as no surprise to find out that the young Dane was a huge fan of Thomas Bjorn and the 2018 Ryder Cup Captain has been his role model ever since he picked up a club, which is the same year Thomas defeated Tiger Woods in Dubai. Mikkel left Qatar for America to further his education and golfing dream and now he returns home to compete in the Qatar Masters. But what are his dreams for the future and will he feel the pressure of mixing it with the rising stars on the DP World Tour?
How are you finding the challenge of American college golf. As that is where most of the talented Tour players are coming from these days?
It is a good challenge, one I am enjoying very much. Playing with good players every week can only help improve my game. We aim to learn and Improve every day. It’s a big change from living in Doha where there were not so many good young players who I could compete with.
How has college golf helped develop your game?
It has helped me in many ways, both mentally and game wise. We are playing different golf courses almost every week in different conditions. Playing college golf has helped me diversify my game by learning how to play in the rain, cold weather and in lots of wind. Playing 36 holes in a day has taught me the importance of patience and conserving as much energy as possible.
Who have been your role models in the game and why?
The biggest role model for me in golf has been Thomas Bjorn. He was the one who really made me engage with the game of golf and fall in love with it. Since he is also from Denmark, I look up to him as a national hero. My parents and I would travel around the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) to watch him play in DP World Tour events. He is the best player to come from Denmark and to witness some of his success live (Qatar Masters 2011) where we followed him all week was an unreal experience.
How much did you enjoy playing with Thomas at the 2019 Qatar Masters?
The experience was amazing, to be able to play with my childhood hero and idol was a dream come true and something I will never forget. Also to have my dad caddying for me that week means that we have something to share for the rest of our lives. Thomas is also one of his heroes so I’m sure it meant a lot to him as well. Thomas and I were very focused on our own games so we were not able to talk that much but we were able to converse on occasion. He was able to pass on his wisdom and shared a few of his best experiences with me; especially about captaining the Ryder Cup team to success.
Having recently won the Qatar Men’s Open how did that effect your game and confidence?
It definitely helped improve my confidence. Every tournament I play I want to win, and I felt I was one of the favourites to win the tournament. After getting off to a slow start and being four shots behind after the first round I was extremely happy to turn it around and played really well in the last two rounds to win the tournament. Also, to beat good players from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and England gives me a lot of confidence to know that I can perform against some really good amateurs.
How did you find playing Doha Golf Club? What were the biggest challenges and how did your game?
Having been a member at Doha Golf Club for the past 14 years, it was in one of the best conditions I have seen it in the last few years. After their reconstruction of the greens the course played very tough with firm and fast greens. The conditions were extremely tough with winds up to 45 km/h and therefore it was very tough to control the ball. I felt it suited my game well as I have learned to flight my ball better in the wind, keeping it lower. In the last two rounds I only missed six greens in regulation, which was key to winning the tournament.
Which holes at Doha Golf Club come to mind in regards to a challenge or just fit your eye and why?
I think the most challenging holes at Doha Golf Club is the par 3 third hole. A long iron in to a skinny green with a hazard down the right which wraps around the green. A visually tough but beautiful is one of my favourite holes but also one of the toughest I have played.
What are your plans going forward in 2022?
I have plans of playing many tournaments in the United States and Denmark. After the college season is over, I would like to stay in the United States and try to qualify for the US Amateur Championship. I will also be playing in a qualifier for the US Open and other smaller amateur tournaments.
What’s your golfing dream and why?
My golfing dream has been to win the Qatar Masters ever since I was young. I think it would very cool to win that event at my home course in a country I call home. It would also be a dream come true to make the Ryder Cup team. Playing in a team format at the best atmosphere in golf would be an unforgettable experience.
Coming back for the Qatar Masters and teeing it up with leading Tour players, what are you goals and expectations for the week?
My goals for the Qatar Masters is to make the most of an exceptional experience. I aim to improve from my performance from 2019 where I did not play very good the first round. My goal is to make the cut and to compete with some of the best golfers in the world.
