GOLF/HASSAN II TROPHY:RHYS DAVIES is hoping his first experience of defending a European Tour title will provide him with more good memories of Morocco. The Welshman's two-shot victory over British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen in the Trophee Hassan II last year was the catalyst for a hugely-successful rookie season.
Davies went on to finish 18th in the Order of Merit and returns to north Africa for this weekend’s tournament ranked 94th in the world.
The 25-year-old will have to contend with a change of venue, though, with the tournament having been moved from the capital, Rabat, to Agadir.
The event has retained its pro-am format for the first two rounds, which will be played on both the Golf du Palais Royal and the Golf de L’Ocean courses, with the final rounds held on the Palais Royal.
Davies, whose winning total of 25-under 266 was the lowest 72-hole score on the tour in 2010, said: “It will be the first time I’ll be defending a tournament as a professional so it’s something I’m very much looking forward to.
“It’s a different challenge because it’s not the same course but it’s obviously a tournament I’ve got very fond memories of and hopefully I can do the same again.
“There was never any doubt I’d be coming this week. It was one of the first tournaments on my schedule and I’m absolutely relishing the challenge to try and keep my title.
“In some ways it’s a little bit disappointing they’ve moved courses, because you have memories of the good shots you hit at various points on the course, but at the same time we get to go to another part of Morocco, see a different city and have the challenge of conquering another golf course.”
Alongside Davies in the field for today’s first round will be Thomas Bjorn, Simon Khan, Darren Clarke, David Howell and Simon Wakefield, who shares the course record for the Golf du Palais Royal.
Looking for his fourth title, meanwhile, will be Spaniard Santiago Luna, following his triumphs in 1998, 2002 and 2003.
The 48-year-old, who returns to the tournament on a sponsor’s invitation, said: “The first victory is the one I remember the most because it was so special.
“Winning for the first time and being presented with the beautiful trophy – a gold dagger – by Moroccan royalty was amazing.
“I felt really good about my game and after that I always came to the tournament knowing I would win it.”
Darren Clarke heads a strong Irish contingent, which includes Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Shane Lowry and Michael Hoey
The Lowdown
Courses: Golf du Palais Royal and Golf de L’Ocean, Agadir, Morocco.
Prize money: €1.5m (€250,000 to winner).
Length – Palais: 6,844 yards; L’Ocean: 6,799
Par – Palais: 72; L’Ocean: 70
Size of field: 120
Where to watch: Live on Sky Sports from 1pm today.
Time difference: Morocco is one hour behind Ireland.
Weather forecast: Sunny and extremely hot for the first three days, with temperatures topping 30C Celsius, before a cooler Sunday with some showers. Light winds all week.
Course overview: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr inside the walls of King Hassan II’s, Palais is a short but tough track with narrow fairways through dense clumps of trees which lead to small, contoured greens. The “cheriki” wind from the Atlantic gets up in the afternoon. L’Ocean is also a decent test, with water in play on the second, third, seventh, eighth, 17th and 18th.
The challenge: Precision golf is essential for success at two tight tracks. The fairways are wafer thin, the small greens provide tough targets and keeping your ball in play is the key to success.
