Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Sweden's Robert Karlsson fired a final-round bogey-free 65 to claim a three-shot victory in the Qatar Masters.
The European Ryder Cup star held off defending champion Alvaro Quiros of Spain to finish 15 under in Doha. Australian Brett Rumford and England's Lee Westwood ended 11 under as overnight leaders Paul Casey and Bradley Dredge slipped back.
England's Casey carded 74 to end eight under, the same mark as Welshman Dredge as Karlsson overhauled a two-shot lead.
The 40-year-old, who in 2008 became the first Swedish player to be named European number one, missed four months of last season after suffering from blurred vision caused by fluid behind the retina in his left eye.
In an interview following his victory, Karlsson explained how difficult a road back it has been; the injury was originally diagnosed as a three-week layoff that turned into four months. Following his most successful season to date made this particularly hard to swallow as the natural progression from Order of Merit winner was to push for a Major title; instead the tall Swede had to battle his demons to find his best form once again.
This week, again, not only signalled a return to form for one of Europe's top stars, but another statement of intent ahead of the Ryder Cup.
A hot topic for debate this week has been the 'bending of the rules' by a number of PGA Tour stars in reference to the new groove rules.
World number two Mickelson opened his PGA Tour campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego this week with a Ping i2 wedge in his bag, after exploiting a loophole in new equipment regulations governing grooves.
The club features U-shaped grooves banned by golf's lawmakers in favour of a more 'V' shape, but a 1993 US lawsuit means Ping wedges manufactured before 1990 are technically exempt. Mickelson is the most high-profile player to use the clubs and PGA Tour players' committee member and fellow professional Scott McCarron has branded the move as 'cheating'.
Mickelson has not so much defended his decision but issued a statement that the new rule was 'terrible'. Tour Commissioner Time Finchem has also backed Mickelson by stating that it is 'a bit of a loophole' and they are aware of it, but did not condemn Lefty's decision to put it in the bag.
Is Mickelson morally wrong by exploiting this loophole? There are schools of thought on both sides. It will be interesting to see how many more of the Professionals follow suit. All I know for sure is that there is suddenly a huge demand for i2 wedges on certain internet sales sites!
This week sees the third and final leg of the Desert Swing with the flagship event of the European Tour's international schedule - the Dubai Desert Classic.
Sweden's Henrik Stenson feels some 'home comforts and local knowledge' could come in handy as the long-hitting Swede fancies his chances of regaining the title. The Dubai-based Swede inscribed his name on the huge winner's trophy in 2007, beating a strong field, including Tiger Woods, and came close in 2009, posting a strong third-place finish in the $2.5 million event.
The strongest field of the three events tees it up from Thursday morning around the immaculate Emirates Golf Club. It should prove a fitting finale for what has so far proved a festival of golf for the region.
