Two Englishmen with eyes on 2008 Ryder Cup glory, Lee Westwood and David Howell will continue their charge to Valhalla when they join a powerful field for the $2.5 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club later this month.

Former European No.1 Westwood has started the new season in fine form and currently holds second place on the Order of Merit having tied for second behind Phil Mickelson in Hong Kong, while for Howell the New Year offers a chance to bounce back to his best after a period of injury that saw him endure a year he describes as the “worst of my golfing career.”

Despite their differing fortunes over the past twelve months, an In-form Westwood and a fit-again Howell would be key players in a European team looking to maintain their dominance over the US when the matches are played in Valhalla, Kentucky in September.

And with the PGA European Tour making a three-week sojourn to the Middle East, both men are looking to the richest-ever Commercialbank Qatar Masters – scheduled for January 24-27 - as a key stepping stone to automatic places in Nick Faldo’s European side.

“Both Lee and David were key players when Europe won the last two Ryder Cup Matches at Oakland Hills in 2004 and the K Club in 2006,” said Tournament Manager Chris Myers. “They have both been in the world’s top ten and when playing at their best are good enough to beat anyone so it’s a pleasure to have them competing in Doha.”

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Now 34, Westwood embellished his magnificent Ryder Cup record in 2006 when, for the second successive time, he remained unbeaten in all five matches. During the 2007 campaign, he added to his impressive tally of victories when he won the 2007 Valle Romano Open de Andalucia and then became the joint second most prolific English winner with Mark James when he won his 18th title in The Quinn Direct British Masters

It was a fitting return to form for the Englishman who ruled Europe in 2000 when six victories in the year saw him equal the record set by Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie and eventually end Monty’s seven year grip at the top of the Order of Merit as European No.1.

For Howell, 2008 is all about getting back to where he belongs in the world game after a series of back and wrist injuries saw him drop down the rankings from his peak as World No.9 – a position achieved thanks to some excellent performances such as winning the 2005 BMW International Open in Germany and victory in the Champions Tournament in Shanghai, where he went head-to-head and won against Tiger Woods.

In 2006, he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth by five shots – the Tour’s flagship event – finished the year third on the Order of Merit and starred in the Ryder Cup. “By the end of 2008, I’d like to have qualified for the Ryder Cup and be in the top 50 again – but I’d be wrong to think I can get back to the top just like that,” he said.

More information on the Commercialbank Qatar Masters is available at the official website www.qatar-masters.com.