Hosted by Moroccan royalty on a stunning course, running concurrently with a Ladies European Tour event, the Trophée Hassan II always provides a unique occasion not to be missed. We give you the lowdown on the prestigious tournament...
A Regal affair
The Trophée Hassan II is a unique tournament, in that it is hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, who is second in line to the Moroccan throne.
The prestigious event has a history whichdates all the way back to 1971, with a list of winner that includes Billy Casper, Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Price, Payne Stewart, Vijay Singh, Sam Torrance and Lee Trevino.
The tournamentbegan a new era in 2010when it joined the European Tour schedule for the first time and this year, it returns to the Moroccan capital of Rabat for the first time since that inaugural European Tour-sanctioned edition.
Rewind
In a thrilling finale this time last year,Richie Ramsaywent from the sublime – four successive birdies from the third hole – to the ridiculous – dropping four shots in two holes straight after that blitz - andall the way back to the sublime, as three birdies in a row on the back nine helped him to an incredible victory.
It was a remarkable comeback for the Scot, after having missed the cut in all of his first four tournaments of The 2015 Race to Dubai, and his third European Tour victory.
The Scot afterwardsdedicated the victory to his wife Angela and his brother Robin, saying: “It means a huge amount. I just want to dedicate it to my brother and my wife Angela at home. My brother has supported me since I was young so this is for him and for Angela.”
Bite-sized history
Rhys Davies won the inaugural edition of the Trophée Hassan II in 2010 in the most dramatic fashion,overcoming Louis Oosthuizenin the final stretch to claim his maiden and to date only European Tour victory.
The Welsh former amateur world number one carded eight birdies in the space of 11 holes to seal a two-shot triumph and he remainsthe only player to have won at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
Davies came agonisingly close to successfully defending his title the following year before being overcome in a three-way play-off by his 2007 Walker Cup team mateDavid Horsey, whileMichael Hoey earned an impressive three-shot victory in 2012.
Marcel Siembecame the first continental European to win in 2013, andAlejandro Cañizaresearned the first wire-to-wire victory in the tournament’s history a year later, before Ramsay added his name to the list of winners.
The field
Andrew Johnstonmakes his first appearance since soaring to a maiden European Tour title at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, Hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation and the Englishman has not missed the cut at this event in two appearances.
Alexander Levy, meanwhile, enters the week on impressive form having claimed a top 15 finish at the Shenzhen International two weeks ago.
Four of the six tournament winnersare all in the field – Cañizares, Horsey, Hoey and Davies – while the tournament invitations feature a legendary golfing surname, that ofJavier Ballesteros– son of Seve.
The course
TheRed Course, one of three lay-outs at Royal Golf Dar Es Salaam, was designed in the late 1960s by world-renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones and is regarded as one of the best venues on the whole continent of Africa.
Measuring a frightening7487 yards, the par 72 course features the kind of splashed bunkers, dog-leg fairways and raised greens synonymous with its designer while there is a dash ofRoman ruinthrown in the mix – ancient columns can be found between the 11th and 12th holes.
Thesignature holeis arguably the ninth, a par three which features a lily pond, complete with flamingos, and a green surrounded by picturesque shrubbery and trees.
All for one, one for all
This week, Rabat has the honour of hosting two professional events as the Trophée Hassan II is played concurrently with a Ladies European Tour event, the Lalla Meryem Cup. A joint opening press conference will kick off a festival week of golf in Rabat and golf fans will be spoilt for choice.
