Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper is hoping to continue a proud record of South African success at the Qatar Masters as he goes in search of a third win of the season at Doha Golf Club.
The 24-year-old has been the breakout star of the campaign so far, winning twice and securing a runner-up finish to take the Opening Swing title before achieving a career-best Rolex Series result of fourth at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
He now arrives at an event where he finished fifth last season and has never missed the cut, looking to follow in the illustrious footsteps of his countrymen.
In the 28 editions of the Qatar Masters, South Africa has a record six wins, with two for Branden Grace and Darren Fichardt, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Justin Harding having also lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy.
Fichardt – the 2003 champion who is playing this event for the 17th consecutive season - has spoken this week of the South African community in Qatar, with braais even taking place during event week, and Schaper certainly feels right at home.
“If you go looking to the past, I think a lot of the South Africans have had quite a bit of success around here,” said Schaper.
“I personally enjoy it, I think from tee to green it’s one of the better courses we play throughout the year.
“It’s quite brutal, quite tough and then the greens are always rolling pretty pure, they’re quite firm. I’m a golfer who likes to use a lot of the slopes and stuff around the greens.
“Fourth week in a row but it’s nice to be back out in Qatar, this golf course, I’ve got some good memories and some nice results around here.
“I had a slow start at the Dubai Invitational but played some pretty good golf for the first event of the year.
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“Then top four at Desert Classic which is always a great event to play, probably one of my favourite weeks of the year. Just a nice strong start, especially after the start of the season. Last week I struggled with the golf course but it’s been a nice strong start.”
That Schaper still tops the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World despite nearest challenger Patrick Reed having won a Rolex Series title and finished second last week is testament to his consistency across his first six events.
And the World Number 49 – now the highest-ranked South African on the planet – is continuing to set his sights high for 2026.
“You have your goals that you want to achieve: you want to finish as high up the Race to Dubai as possible and earn one of those PGA TOUR cards at the end of the year,” he said.
“You’ve got to look at winning the Race to Dubai and finishing as high up as possible. It’s pretty much week by week.”
