Steve Stricker back on Euro Tour after 16 years

The strength of the field at this week's Qatar Open has resulted in American Steve Stricker ending his 16-year European Tour absence.

The world No 7 is a surprise entrant and joins a field boasting the world No 1 Lee Westwood and second-ranked Martin Kaymer along with five others inside the world's top 20.

"A big reason that lured me to come over here is the strength of the field," said Stricker, who has played in just one regular European Tour event in his 20-year professional career, finishing 19th in the 1995 Scottish Open at Carnoustie.

"You have Westwood and Kaymer, and Paul Casey winning last week (in Bahrain), moving into sixth position on the rankings. So you've got a strong field here, along with other players, Robert Karlsson, past winner from last year."

Stricker was quizzed if he considered Europe a stronger tour than the PGA Tour with six of the world's top 10 being European. "It's kind of going in cycles but right now obviously the top players are over here in Europe and that is part of the reason why I came here to try to play well in this event," he said.

Fresh from finishing fourth behind Casey in Bahrain, Stephen Gallacher spearheads an eight-strong Scots contingent in the third of four events on the Middle East Swing.

Andrew Coltart and Paul Lawrie both have fond memories of playing in Doha, having lifted the title in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Also in the field are David Drysdale, Richie Ramsay, Peter Whiteford, Steven O'Hara and Gary Orr.