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The Commercialbank Qatar Masters is boasting a unique hole-in-one prize this week. The first player to make an ace at the par-3 17th hole at Doha Golf Club will win a 26-foot Doral Monticello yacht worth $150,000.

The $2.2 million tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour. Among the players in the 120-player field are PGA TOUR regulars Chris DiMarco, Stuart Appleby, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia.

• Paul Casey has set his sights on securing the first major title of his career at the Masters in April, after capturing the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Englishman won the $2 million event by a single shot after producing a superb 7-under-par 65 on Sunday, and his victory has set him up nicely for Qatar and at the Dubai Desert Classic over the next two weeks.

He is keen to taste more success this year, and believes the Augusta event is the major at which he has the best chance.

"I think the Masters is the one that suits my game the best, the reason being that I feel I drive the ball very well," Casey said. "I have the ability to hit long, soft irons and the golf course has got longer over the years and you need to be able to do that. You need to be able to have very good control of your ball flight.

"I have to eliminate the three-putts, but I have time to work on that before April. That is probably the one," he explained. "You have got to have everything in place to win a major championship, but Augusta is probably the one that suits my game the best."

• Mobile phones will be banned from the 2007 British Open this summer at Carnoustie, Royal and Ancient Golf Club officials have confirmed. The policy is in line with other majors and the Ryder Cup, and follows comments from players concerning the number of phones in evidence last July at Hoylake.

"We have so far resisted the call to ban mobile phones on the grounds that it may be an inconvenience to the public," said R&A Director of Championships David Hill. "However, after receiving complaints referring to the numbers that were in use as play in the Open was proceeding, we feel there is no other reasonable option other than a complete ban.

"As at the Ryder Cup, we believe that spectators will understand that this measure is being put in place to make the Open a more enjoyable experience for all spectators and players," he added. "I would stress that we will install additional public telephones for use by members of the general public."

Security checks of every spectator will take place at the entrance gates.

• European Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Lee Westwood of England have signed on to play in the Maybank Malaysian Open next month, tournament officials have announced. Also in the field are 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand and leading Asian golfers Thaworn Wiratchant and Thongchai Jaidee, both of Thailand.

The event, co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, is set for Feb. 8-11 at Saujana Golf & Country Club. Jaidee won the 2004 and 2005 Malaysian Opens, while Westwood captured the crown in 1997.

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