Sergio Garcia makes his first appearance of a potentially momentous 2016 this week as one of the big names at this year’s Qatar Masters, which tees off on Wednesday.

As well his perennial hunt for an elusive Major, the Spaniard is almost certainly likely to feature in Europe’s Ryder Cup team at Hazletine in September.

A win in Minnesota would mark Garcia’s sixth victorious Ryder Cup performance and cement his position as one of the greatest European players over the match-play format.

There is also the small matter of golf at the Olympics in Brazil later this year, for the first time since 1904.

“On my way to @CBQatarMasters to start my golfing year. Excited to get going on a very big year for golf #Majors @rydercup @Olympics,” he tweeted earlier this week.

The 36-year-old’s mind will be trying to rediscover the form he showed here two years ago to win the 2014 Qatar Masters.