Visiting American Hunter Mahan declared it’s hats off to Robert Rock not wearing a cap or visor into competition.

While impressed with Rock’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship victory last Sunday in the company of Tiger Woods, Mahan, who is contesting this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, suggests the sight of the English golfer without a cap is a ‘throwback’ to decades past.

Hunter Mahan admires Robert Rock for not wearing a cap. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“There’s no question it’s strange seeing a player out here competing without a cap,” said Mahan.

“Robert’s a throwback to the ‘70s and maybe the ‘80s but mostly the ‘70s and ‘60s and stuff when guys did not wear caps.

“I need sunglasses at the bear minimum to kind of walk around during the day, so to not have a hat on would be challenging for me.  So it’s impressive not to wear a cap.”

Rock captured his second Race to Dubai event in eight months by one stroke with a 13-under par tally on the Abu Dhabi Golf Club course.

And while the Midlander may be losing out in terms of corporate contracts in not wearing a cap, he’s attracting plenty of interest simply for his thick crop of hair.

“He’s got a good head of hair,” said Mahan smiling.

“I’ll give him that.  I mean he’s got a great haircut, so he’s a good-looking man. 

“He can rock me it for sure.  Some guys, can’t but Robert definitely can.”

Mahan will play the opening two rounds in Doha in the company of 2010 Ryder Cup Singles rival, Graeme McDowell and early 2012 Race to Dubai front-runner, Branden Grace of South Africa.