FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 3 GGOLFOLF | Page 7 Real defeat Im takes fi rst Barcelona in US PGA title in Clasico to regain Honda Classic top spot thriller Tuesday, March 3, 2020 CRICKET Rajab 8, 1441 AH Kiwis beat India by GULF TIMES seven wickets to sweep series SPORT Page 4 ATHLETICS / DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE 2019 Worlds medallists Kovacs, Crouser to go head-to-head again in Doha By Sports Reporter en best throws ever. ward to going head-to-head with Doha Kovacs said: “Last year’s World Joe in Doha. Similar to what’s Athletics Championships fi nal happening in the pole vault this was unbelievable, and unforget- year, I’m sure we can bring the n a much-anticipated re- table. The depth of competition best out of one another.” match following the greatest was incredible, and I hope that For the fi rst time in its 22-year shot put competition ever, we can continue that momentum history, the Wanda Diamond world champion Joe Kovacs through 2020. League in Doha will be held over Iand silver medallist Ryan Crouser “I’m excited to be opening my two days across two diff erent will go head-to-head in the Doha Wanda Diamond League season venues. The Qatar Sports Club for the opening round of the in Doha, especially alongside will host the main programme, Wanda Diamond League on April Ryan. With such a strong group but in an innovative develop- 17 at the Qatar Sports Club. of athletes we can really moti- ment, the men’s high jump – fea- Kovacs, also world champion vate one another in this Olympic turing world champion Mutaz in Beijing 2015 and runner up in year.” Barshim – will take place at the London 2017, is an Olympic silver Crouser added: “I fi nished my Amphitheatre of the Katara – the medallist with a lifetime best of year off on a high with 22.90m at Cultural Village on the evening of 22.91m. the World Championships and April 16. Crouser, who won the Doha I hope that I can build on that in The 2020 Wanda Diamond Diamond League shot put in the early part of the summer sea- League comprises 14 meetings — 2019, is defending Olympic Joe Kovacs of the United States won the shot put gold at the IAAF son, especially after a solid open- commencing with Doha — lead- champion with a lifetime best of World Championships Doha 2019. er of 22.60m at the US Indoors. ing to a single fi nal at the end of 22.90m. “It’s important to build con- the season. Each meeting will The American pair, who were tre at the 2019 World Athletics history in an extraordinary fi nal fi dence and consistency at this be broadcast globally in a fast- Ryan Crouser of the United States had won the shot put event at last separated by only one centime- Championships in Doha, made which produced three of the sev- time of year and I’m looking for- paced 90-minute programme. year’s Doha Diamond League meeting. GOLF QF’s Education City Golf Club ‘extraordinary’: Olazabal ‘... golf course should be a challenging, but also fair, test for professionals and an enjoyable, fun experience for amateurs’ By Sports Reporter Doha Kaymer confi rms participation for hen the fi rst tee shot Commercial Bank Qatar Masters of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters wo-time Major Champion having last played the event to come back and play in Qatar. 2020 is struck at the Martin Kaymer is the in 2014, and will be hoping It is a popular event amongst WEducation City Golf Club this Tlatest star to confirm his another strong performance the players, and it is always nice week, it will be a proud moment participation at the Commercial can bolster his position in the for us to visit Doha, plus with for the sporting mind behind Bank Qatar Masters from March 2020 Race to Dubai Rankings the new course it adds an extra the Qatar Foundation course 5-8. The former World No 1 joins presented by Rolex. challenge.” – legendary golfer José Maria defending champion Justin “I’m looking forward to seeing Education City Golf Club Gen- Olazábal. Harding in the field as they the golf course at Education eral Manager Michael Braid- The Spaniard, who twice won prepare to tee it up at Education City,” said the 35-year-old. “I’ve wood said, “We are delighted the Masters Tournament – one of City Golf Club, with the event heard good things and I am to welcome two-time Major golf’s top four prizes – and both shifting across the Qatari capital always looking at ways to chal- Champion Martin Kaymer back played in and captained winning from Doha Golf Club for the lenge myself and to ultimately to the Commercial Bank Qatar European sides in the Ryder Cup, first time in the tournament’s improve my game. Masters. Not only is Martin a the sport’s greatest team contest, 23-year history. “I’ve had a decent start to the fantastic golfer but he is also an has turned his attention to de- The four-time Ryder Cup star, 2020 season with some good incredible role model for junior signing courses rather than dom- who counts the 2010 US PGA results in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, golfers, and we are excited to inating them since his top-level Championship and 2014 US and Saudi. I wanted to keep the showcase him and some of playing career ended. Open amongst his 11 Euro- momentum generated in the the best players in the world at And while he has mastermind- pean Tour titles, is excited to Middle East going within my Education City Golf Club for the ed the layout of golfi ng venues venture to the new course, game, so it was an easy choice first time.” from Spain, Italy, and Greece to China and Turkey, Olazábal says the Education City Golf Club – Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, who is a two-time Masters winner, has designed the layout at the Education which will stage its fi rst interna- City Golf Club. tional tournament when it hosts the Commercial Bank Qatar Golf Club].” wadi as a strong characteristic test for professionals and an en- Masters from March 5-8 – is spe- Olazábal and his team de- and intentionally let the course joyable, fun experience for ama- cial, not least because it refl ects signed all three courses at the to the wadi area early on in the teurs,” he said. the environment of knowledge Qatar Foundation facility, and round, to set the tone. We repeat “We off er six diff erent tee that surrounds it at Qatar Foun- says two key themes shaped their the theme of the dry riverbed a boxes per hole – seven on the dation. work. “First, there is the setting few times across the courses, and six-hole course – so we can vary “The project is unlike any within Education City, where I am pleased with how it turned the distance, and also the fairway other we have been involved in teaching and striving for excel- out.” width if needed, to get the diffi - so far,” he said in the build-up to lence are the focus of daily life,” Through design features such culty level just right for everyone. the competition. “It was my fi rst he explained. as this, Olazábal says it has been I hope we achieved that, so that design in the Middle East, and “We made sure teaching re- possible to make the golf course the pros have to bring all their it was fantastic to work in a new ceives a prominent role at the “interesting” despite being on skills to perform well and the culture and among so many dif- club, and we deliberately de- what is essentially a fl at piece of amateurs have so much fun that ferent nationalities that took part signed not only very generous land. And with its nine-hole and they want to play again.” in the development. practice facilities with a nine- six-hole courses being fl oodlit, For Olazábal, creating a setting “What made it extraordinary hole par three course wrapped he points out, “golf can be en- for golf that can be embraced by for me were the people and the around them, but we placed them joyed all year round – in the win- everyone is as important as de- location. We are right in the mid- right in the heart of the club. We ters, temperatures in Doha are signing a course fi t for the best dle of several universities [at Qa- wanted to leave no doubt about perfect for golf, and in the sum- players in the world. “Golf is fun, tar Foundation] and next door the importance of teaching and mers we have the luxury of play- healthy, and a sport for life, no to a thriving city. We are sur- learning, whether you are young ing in the evenings”. matter at what age you begin,” he rounded by campuses, an amaz- or old, a beginner or a profes- He hopes that both top play- said. “It is loved around the globe ing horse-riding stadium, and sional. ers and those for whom golf is a and I see no reason why it should now even a World Cup football “Secondly, there is the land hobby, a social activity, or a way not be embraced here [in Qatar stadium, all merely a pitch away. itself. A wadi runs through the of staying fi t will gain from tack- and across the Middle East].