Spaniards sample local culture in Doha

Spanish stars Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Pablo Larrazábal sampled a little local culture when they received a lesson in Arabic calligraphy after the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.<br /><br />“It’s fun to try things like this,” said Cabrera-Bello, who has twice finished third at Doha Golf Club, including last year when he missed out on the play-off by a single stroke.<br /><br />As Sergio Garcia continued a solid defence of his title with a second round of 69 and compatriot Alejandro Cañizares remained in the top ten courtesy of a 70, Cabrera-Bello explained why he and many other Spaniards enjoy the US$2.5 million tournament, which sits at the heart of The European Tour’s desert swing.<br /><br />“It’s just being like back home,” said Cabrera-Bello, a two-time European Tour winner, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. “There’s normally sunshine, it’s a little breezy, we play in short sleeves and I like the fact that there’s sand all around.”<br /><br />Cabrera-Bello considers the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters one of his favourite tournaments, and said he has always felt comfortable on Doha Golf Club’s Peter Harradine-designed layout.<br /><br />“I think it’s a long hitter’s course,” he said. “I’m not the longest hitter, but I would consider myself one of the longer hitters. I also like it because there’s a lot of wedge play if you’re driving well, and my wedge play tends to be good. As well as those things, the course suits my eye. The first time I came here, I liked it and I enjoy myself every time I come here.”<br /><br />Cabrera-Bello was in joint second place after his opening 66 and despite a second round of 73, he remains firmly in the hunt to lift the Mother of Pearl trophy.<br /><br />“I’ve been close a couple of times, had a couple of top-threes here,” he said.<br /><br />“It’s one of my favourite events, and I know I can do well here. I just want to have a good round on Friday and put myself in position for the final round on Saturday.”