Tiger Woods may guarantee packed galleries but even the oil-rich Qataris cannot afford the former World No 1's appearance fee for the only European Tour event in the Gulf state.
The American's involvement at the January 23-26 Qatar Masters would cost a whopping $3 million, said Qatar Golf Association president Hassan al Nuaimi.
Instead, 14-times major winner Woods begins his season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship next week before returning home to compete in the US PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open.
Woods finished tied third in Abu Dhabi last year and has never played in Qatar.
Paul Lawrie will defend his title at the Qatar event where the field includes world number four Justin Rose of Britain and American world number nine Jason Dufner.
26/11: Al Qaeda's brain and Lashkar's execution
Golf: Asia beat Europe in playoff to clinch Royal Trophy
Elated Woods back at venue that sparked his 2012 season
Jason Statham: I have always admired Sylvester Stallone
Woods visits did nothing for Aussie golf, says Thomson