Local favourite Younes El Hassani took inspiration from the great Seve Ballesteros as he battled his way to a share of second in the first round of the Trophée Hassan II.
The World Number 1117 fired a blemish-free 69 on the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam - the highlight of which was a chip-in on the seventh - but he did not have it all his own way on the tough layout.
With thick rough and difficult tee shots, the Red Course presents a challenge with accuracy the name of the game if you want to go low.
There is a Ballesteros in the field this week with Seve's son Javier teeing it up, but El Hassani admitted you needed the scrambling skills of the late, great Ballesteros Senior if your ball ended up in the rough stuff.
"I hit the fairways many times, which makes it much easier to hit the green with your second shot, because out of the rough it can be impossible," he said.
When I did miss the greens, I hit some very good chip shots. I felt like Seve! - Younes El Hassani
"I've played here a lot, but I'm originally from Tangier. This course is very long for me, because I only drive the ball 250 metres, so it's very tough."
Andrew Johnston was a further shot back as he returned to action for the first time since his victory at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation.
The Englishman made four birdies and two bogeys in his 70 and he echoed El Hassani's comments about the rough on the Red Course.
"The two weeks went really fast but it's nice to get back to business," he said. "My preparation wasn't as good as it must've been, because I haven't practised as much as I would've liked, but luckily there wasn't too much rust in the system.
"I hit a lot of fairways today, which is so important round here. The rough is brutal, especially when it's wet. I tried to hit a seven iron 150 yards and it came up about 30 yards short, so that tells you how thick it is."
