About the Event: This will be the 15th staging of the Qatar Masters and the field contains 16 of the top-50 in the world rankings and seven previous champions

Course Characteristics: Big hitters can do well at this track as the rough does not penalise wayward drives like some European courses. The ability to putt well on the grainy Bermuda grass greens is also a plus, while the Shamal wind that can blow in the afternoon is another factor. The signature hole at Doha is probably the par five eighth with its island green, reminiscent of Sawgrass.

The Main Men

Lee Westwood (10-1): Missed the cut 12 months ago but prior to that he'd posted a third and fifth. Solid effort on first day back in the 'office' when 17th last Sunday and not one to dismiss lightly.

Sergio Garcia (14-1): Has to be on the short-list based on three top-10s in his last four starts in Qatar and a steady 12th last week where he earned top-15 rankings for driving distance and GIR.

Martin Kaymer (16-1): His putting let him down badly last week when he missed the cut in defence of his Abu Dhabi title. He's far too good a player to dismiss on the basis of one poor performance and can bounce back.

Graeme McDowell (16-1): Has to be one to consider having registered form figures of 4-20-14 in his three most recent appearances in Qatar, while a third on his seasonal return last week makes for a solid case.

Alvaro Quiros (18-1): Another for the short-list having landed the Qatar Masters in 2009 and finished runner-up in each of the two subsequent renewals. Missed the cut last week but closed 2011 with a win in the Dubai World Championship.

Thomas Bjorn (22-1): Came home four shots clear of the field when winning the Qatar Masters 12 months ago and his recent form (third in Abu Dhabi and 16th in South Africa) suggests he could easily repeat that feat.

Robert Karlsson (22-1): Took this in 2010 and made a bold effort as defending champion when sixth last year. Started the Abu Dhabi Championship with a 67 to lead the field before finishing 24th and that followed a 12th in the Volvo Champions.

Hunter Mahan (22-1): Continued his good form from last year, when he posted nine top-10s in America, with a sixth on his seasonal return in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Francesco Molinari (30-1): A solitary top-25 in four tries in Qatar is nothing special and there are others with better course and distance credentials. However, he was back to work with a very respectable eighth in Dubai.

Jason Day (35-1): Enjoyed an exceptionally good season on the US tour in 2011 and bagged a couple of runner-up spots in the Masters and US Open. Very disappointing in Abu Dhabi last week but he is too good a player to allow that performance to cast doubts on his chance this week.

Peter Hanson (35-1): Finished 14th two years ago but that's the only bright spot in nine starts this century. Looked booked for a top five place when shooting a third round 64 last week but slipped down to a 35th following a 78 on Sunday. However, the Swedish golfer is generally consistent.

Anders Hansen (40-1): His record in the Qatar Masters is nothing exceptional (three top-15s since 2002), but showed up well in Abu Dhabi when coming home in 14th and ranking ninth for driving distance.

Paul Lawrie (50-1): Landed the Qatar Masters in 1999, while he's posted three top-25s and just one missed cut in his last five starts at Doha GC. That form along with successive top-10s in his three most recent starts makes him one to be seriously interested in.

Jaco Van Zyl (66-1): Makes his debut in Qatar but his form over the last six months or so suggests he could be in with a shout. Has not missed a cut in his 13 most recent outings on the European tour and has registered five top-10s.

David Lynn (100-1): Was 10th at the halfway stage in the 2011 edition of this tournament before eventually finishing 19th and that is one of four top-20s he's posted. Solid 17th last Sunday carried on the good form from last year when his final seven outings produced three top-10s, including a second and third.