GOOSEN PUMPED UP FOR 'DEFENCE'

Former Qatar Masters champion Retief Goosen has some unfinished business to take care of when the Doha event gets under way.

Last year the South African was unable to defend the title he dramatically won in 2007 because an eye complaint forced him to withdraw.

But this time the 39-year-old will take his place in the strongest ever regular European Tour field fresh from Sunday's Africa Open victory and feeling the best he has in five years thanks to a new fitness regime.

"It's nice to be back," Goosen said. "I am looking forward to the week and to sort of defend my title.

"It definitely has a feeling of a title defence and it would be nice to give myself a chance on Sunday."

World number 40 Goosen is keen to improve his ranking which stood at 28 before last year's Qatar Masters, following an indifferent 2007 during which he dropped out of the world's top 20.

The two-time US Open winner had not won since claiming the 2007 Qatar Masters crown until he roared from behind in the final round to win November's Johor Open and end a 20-month winless streak.

And after a near miss at the Joburg Open at the start of this year, he landed his 37th professional victory at East London Golf Club four days ago by a single stroke following a final-round seven-under-par 65.

"I am fairly well prepared and hopefully the week will go well and I will make some putts," added Goosen.

"I like the course, the course is in great shape, I know it very well and I feel comfortable around it."

World number two Sergio Garcia headlines the field which contains 17 of the world's top 50 players and also includes defending champion Adam Scott, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els, Abu Dhabi winner Paul Casey and Ryder Cup winner Boo Weekley.

Spaniard Garcia, 29, claimed an eighth-place finish in Abu Dhabi last week but knows he faces a tougher test in Qatar with the notorious wind at Doha Golf Club presenting new problems.

"It's the type of course you have to be very patient with when the wind comes around because some holes are playing soft and then you're going to have some birdie holes," said the Race to Dubai leader.

"And with the greens being very firm and a good speed, it will be a very good test.

"I had a good weekend last week. I feel like my game is coming along and I am looking forward to getting off to a good start this week to have a solid chance of winning.

"Last week I wasn't happy with the first few days, but I was able to find my game over the weekend and finish inside the top 10.

"I'm looking forward to keeping the same direction and hopefully having four good days and a good chance on Sunday."


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GOOSEN SURGES TO WIN

PEREZ MAKES BLISTERING START

Pat Perez fired an 11-under-par 61 to grab a one-shot lead after the first round of the Bob Hope Classic.

A superb 28 on his first nine holes helped catapult Perez to the top of the leaderboard and a one-stroke advantage over Mike Weir and Bubba Watson.

Perez, who never has won on the PGA Tour, had 10 birdies and an eagle on the Palmer course. He had six birdies and an eagle on his opening nine and appeared poised to make a run at the tour record of 59 until his lone bogey at number five (his 14th hole) stemmed his momentum.

Weir, the champion here in 2003, used a blazing finish on the Palmer course to vault into the early lead before he was overtaken by Perez.

The Canadian had three birdies and an eagle in the final five holes en route to his 62. Weir shot a 30 on the back nine.

Vaughn Taylor, Briny Baird and Ben Crane were part of a six-man group at nine-under.

Defending champion DJ Trahan was among a cluster at seven-under 65. He is looking to become just the second player to defend the title at this event.

Par took a beating as 60 players shot 67 or better and only 15 players failed to shoot in red numbers.

The 90-hole event will be played on four courses and features a first prize of US 918,000.

Trahan is coming off his best season on the PGA Tour. He earned US 2.3 million in 2008, which is more than twice as much as he made in any of his previous three seasons on tour.

Only Johnny Miller has been able to win back-to-back titles at the Hope (1975 and 1976). In the past 32 years, only five defending champions have even posted top-10 finishes in their title defence.

Last season, Trahan finished at 26-under-par and posted a three-stroke victory over Justin Leonard.

World number eight Anthony Kim was the highest-ranked player in the field, but a shoulder injury caused the American to withdraw on Tuesday.

Collated first round scores

(USA unless stated, par 72):

(x) denotes amateurs

At PGA West Nicklaus Course

63 Ben Crane, Richard S Johnson (Swe), David Berganio Jnr.

64 Chris DiMarco, Kevin Sutherland, Rick Price

65 Todd Hamilton, Heath Slocum, Matt

Bettencourt, Tom Pernice Jnr., Tim Wilkinson (Nzl), Peter Lonard (Aus)

66 Scott McCarron, Mathew Goggin (Aus), Woody Austin, Nicholas Thompson, Chez Reavie

67 Brendon De Jonge, Ryuji Imada (Jpn)

68 Brett Quigley, Bill Haas, David Duval, Cliff Kresge, Brian Bateman, Ryan Moore

69 Notah Begay III, Matthew Borchert

70 Bart Bryant, Jonathan Byrd, Johnson Wagner

71 Tim Herron

73 Joe Durant

At Bermuda Dunes GC

63 Vaughn Taylor

65 Steve Stricker, Steve Marino

66 Nick Watney, Jerry Kelly, Bob Estes, Tim Clark (Rsa)

67 Dean Wilson, Kirk Triplett

68 John Merrick, Steve Flesch, Billy Mayfair, David Toms, Fred Couples, Billy Andrade, Michael Allen, Tim Petrovic, Cameron Beckman

69 Colt Knost, Casey Wittenberg, Greg Chalmers (Aus), John Huston, Scott Verplank

70 Kris Blanks, Joe Ogilvie, Bobby Clampett

71 D.A. Points, John Rollins, Jarrod Lyle (Aus), Jeff Quinney

72 Donnie Hammond

73 James Nitties (Aus)

At SilverRock

63 Jason Dufner

65 Chris Stroud, Brian Gay, Glen Day, D.J. Trahan

66 Chad Campbell, Michael Letzig, Rich Beem, David Mathis, Matt Kuchar, John Mallinger

67 Jeff Klauk, Bill Lunde, John Senden (Aus)

68 Charlie Wi (Kor), Mark Calcavecchia, Ken Duke, Webb Simpson

70 Robert Gamez, Kevin Na, Mike Miles, Jason Gore, Tommy Armour III

71 Corey Pavin, James Oh (Kor)

72 Brian Davis (Eng), Charley Hoffman, Justin Leonard, Harrison Frazar, Jesper Parnevik (Swe)

74 Lee Janzen

77 Brad Faxon

PGA West Palmer Course

61 Pat Perez

62 Mike Weir (Can), Bubba Watson

63 Briny Baird

65 Derek Fathauer, Lucas Glover, Steve Elkington (Aus)

66 Jeff Maggert, Bo Van Pelt, Scott Piercy, Olin Browne, Jason Bohn, Mark Wilson

67 Brad Adamonis, Robert Garrigus, Steve Lowery, Martin Laird (Sco), Chris Couch

68 Dustin Johnson, Alex Cejka (Ger)

69 Nathan Green (Aus), Eric Axley, Greg Owen (Eng), Mark Brooks

70 Will MacKenzie, Ryan Palmer

71 Stephen Ames (Can)

72 Daniel Chopra (Swe), Gary Woodland, Wes Short jr.

73 Peter Tomasulo, Troy Kelly


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JOHNSON LEADS BY ONE AT SONY OPEN

UPBEAT SEVE RECOVERING SLOWLY

Seve Ballesteros has revealed he feels better "day after day" as he prepares for a second course of chemotherapy.

Ballesteros underwent four operations to remove a brain tumour after being admitted to hospital in October last year when he fainted at Madrid airport.

The five-time major winner had tests at La Paz Hospital last week to check on the progress of his recovery.

"Fortunately the results were quite good," Ballesteros said today in a statement on his personal website.

"This Friday I shall begin my second chemotherapy course, which I hope and wish will be as effective as the first one.

"I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination.

"For these reasons I am following strictly all the indications that the doctors are giving me.

"Besides, the physiotherapists are doing a great job on me as I feel better day after day."

Ballesteros said he continues to receive hundreds of messages of support from people and added: "I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their support and energy that is coming to me from all over the world and which is proving so good."


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MISSING CLUBS HINDER CHAMPION SCOTT

Defending Qatar Masters champion Adam Scott will be looking to maintain his 100% record at Doha Golf Club without any practice this week after his clubs were lost in transit from Hawaii.

The Australian will be up against the strongest field assembled for a regular European Tour event.

Last year Scott produced a scintillating course record 11-under-par 61 in the final round to claim a second Pearl trophy following his 2002 victory.

The world number 14 heads to Doha in form after finishing second behind Zach Johnson in the Sony Open in Hawaii last week.

However his clubs failed to follow him on the 22-hour trip, meaning he was unable to take part in today's pro-am, and he was hoping they would arrive before Thursday mornings tee-off time.

"I walked the course, it's in great condition, a little more lush than last year but it was nice to get out there again," Scott said.

"There are a lot of good memories from the last time I went around it. It's good to be back defending and keep this run going in Qatar.

"When I have been to Qatar I have played well and when I play well I generally drive the ball well, and I think you need to drive the ball well as it's a lengthy course.

"The tee shots suit my eyes so I hit a lot of fairways which gives me a lot of chances, so if I can make some putts I am going to be up there."

Scott was delighted with his putting in Hawaii although he was using a new one-off custom putter which was also lost after leaving San Francisco.

A replacement set of clubs is also being sent from suppliers in the UK as a precaution, and with both sets expected to arrive this evening, Scott remained upbeat and insists he is fresh despite his journey to the Middle East.

World number two Sergio Garcia headlines the strong line-up which contains 18 of the world's top 50 and betters the field assembled at the 2002 Scottish Open.

Garcia is also confident about his chances following his eighth-place finish last week in Abu Dhabi, although the Spaniard is looking to continue his form from the weekend after struggling to fire over his opening two rounds.

"The field this week shows the strength of the European players," he said.

"When we used to have two or three Europeans in the top 10 in the world rankings, we now have five or six so I think it's great.

"It's great for the tournament and it's great for the tour, hopefully we will put on a good show this week."

The 29-year-old claimed the world number two spot following his HSBC Champions win in November.

He added: "I feel like my game is coming along and I am looking forward to getting off to a good start this week to have a good, solid chance of winning.

"I was pleased with the weekend last week, I wasn't happy with the first few days, but I was able to find my game over the weekend and finish inside the top 10.

"I'm looking forward to keeping the same direction and hopefully have four good days and have a good chance on Sunday."

American Ryder Cup player Boo Weekley, who recently took up European Tour membership, faces nine of the 12 Europeans he helped beat at Valhalla including Abu Dhabi winner Paul Casey.

Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer and Africa Open winner Retief Goosen also feature at the 2.5million US dollar event.


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HEADLINE STAR KIM OUT OF BOB HOPE

Anthony Kim has withdrawn from this week's Bob Hope Classic due to a shoulder injury, tournament organisers announced on Tuesday.

The world No.8 and highest-ranked player entered for the event finished tied for second at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship earlier this month.

He won twice on the PGA Tour last season and posted eight top-10 finishes.

Kim finished third at last year's tournament here in La Quinta where he grew up, four shots behind winner DJ Trahan who will look to defend his title at the 50th edition of the event.

"I had so many friends and family coming to watch,'' Kim said in a statement.

"We don't consider my shoulder to be anything too serious, and I don't expect to miss extended time, but it is important to be cautious with it at this early stage in the season.''


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AMERICAN INVASION PLEASES STENSON

Henrik Stenson has welcomed the influx of American players on to the European Tour following the introduction of the lucrative Race to Dubai.

Anthony Kim joined the tour prior to last November's HSBC Champions, while fellow Ryder Cup winner Boo Weekley will play at this week's Qatar Masters after taking up membership last week and Brandt Snedeker is set to sign before tee-off in Doha on Thursday.

Former US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Snedeker, 28, finished third at the Masters and ninth at the US Open last year after claiming his maiden Tour title at the Wyndham Championship in 2007.

"It was definitely one of the thoughts when they launched the Race to Dubai, to try to attract stronger fields to tournaments and to the Tour in general," said Stenson, the world number 11.

"Obviously the Race to Dubai has done that and I am delighted to see more of the American tour players coming over to play in Europe.

"I see them on a regular basis when I'm competing in America but it's developing perfectly for everyone to play against the best fields now on a weekly basis."

The Race to Dubai and season-ending Dubai World Championship, which have a total prize pool of US dollars 20million (Ј11.25million), are designed to rival the FedEx Cup Series in America.

Players must take part in 12 tournaments to qualify although that breaks down to five regular events as the four majors and three World Golf Championship events count towards the total.

Last year Stenson finished seventh on the Order of Merit, which was replaced by the Race to Dubai, after recording nine top-10 finishes, including a share of third at The Open at Royal Birkdale.

The 32-year-old Swede is 14th in the Race to Dubai, which is led by world number two Sergio Garcia.

This week's Qatar Masters sees 18 players from the world's top 50 teeing off at Doha Golf Club on Thursday, including defending champion Adam Scott, Garcia, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose.

"The biggest benefit as players is that we get to play against stronger fields in Europe and on the Race to Dubai schedule," added Stenson, who missed the cut at last week's Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

"It's going to mean not only more world ranking points but bigger interest around the world in our events and that can only be good for the European Tour."

Meanwhile, Oliver Wilson is confident of overcoming the star-studded field to claim a maiden European Tour victory.

The 28-year-old was disappointed with his 37th-place finish at last week's Abu Dhabi Championship, which followed an agonising second in a high-class field at the HSBC Champions and sixth at the Hong Kong Open at the end of 2008.

"The field is one of the strongest ever assembled on the European Tour and one which would be great to play well at," Wilson told his website, www.oliver-wilson.com.

"I am feeling good physically and hopefully after a couple of good practice days I will be back to business, trying to win that elusive maiden victory."


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GARCIA MAKES INTENTIONS CLEAR

Sergio Garcia could be less than two months from knocking Tiger Woods off top spot in the world rankings, but starting his 2009 campaign in Abu Dhabi the Spanish star made no secret of what remains his number one target.

"Of course I have a chance (to relegate the injured Woods to second place), but it's not something that's do-or-die for me," said Garcia, who celebrated his 29th birthday last Friday.

"Winning a major has always been a goal for me, so I guess that's probably the only place where I'll set any kind of a goal.

"Other than that, I'll try to play as well as I can at any tournament. If I became the number one nothing is going to change for me."

Up to second by virtue of winning the HSBC Champions title in Shanghai in November - and leader of the European Tour's new "Race To Dubai" money list - Garcia has seen a host of chances to break his major duck come and go.

Back in 1999, just four months into his professional career, he was runner-up to Woods at the USPGA, an event remembered more than anything for his eyes-closed recovery from the base of a tree on the 16th hole at Medinah.

Eleven more top-10 finishes were to come before he stood on the final tee at Carnoustie with a one-stroke lead over Padraig Harrington two years ago.

He bogeyed the hole, though, and lost the play-off, then last August was denied again by his Ryder Cup team-mate at the USPGA Championship.

Harrington, winner of golf's last two majors and three of the last six, is also in Dubai and while he can also catch Woods on the rankings before the American returns to action, getting his game right for The Masters in April is the primary target.

"I'm trying to focus on the process and I do believe I'll be a better player this year," said the Irishman.

"That doesn't necessarily mean that my results will be better, but over time it will even itself out, so I'm comfortable that things are going on the right track.

Current Masters champion Trevor Immelman is another in the Middle East, although jetlag is more of an issue for the South African as he was in Hawaii last week.

"The key for me is that I now know that when I play my best golf, it's good enough to win the biggest tournaments," he said. "That is definitely a confidence boost for me."


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