Jeunghun Wangwill launch his defence of the Trophée Hassan II in the company of WelshmanJamie Donaldsonand France’sAlex Levywhen play gets under way in Morocco on Thursday.
The Korean, whose 2016 victory at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam kick-started a run of three wins in the space of eight months, will tee it up at 0840 alongside Ryder Cup hero Donaldson and fellow-three time winner Levy.
Eleven months ago, Wang saw off Spain’s Nacho Elvira on a third play-off hole after holing 88ft worth of putts on the 18th green across regulation play and the sudden-death shootout.
Elsewhere, five-time winnerJoost Luitenis out in the afternoon at 1320 with South Africa’sBrandon Stoneand 2011 winnerDavid Horsey, while Ryder Cup skipperThomas Bjorn returns to the course after providing commentary at last week’s Masters Tournaments in the company of former European team memberNicolas Colsaertsand Germany’sMarcel Siem from 1340 local time.
Winner in the last full field European Tour event at the Tshwane Open,Dean Burmestertees off at 1330 with FrenchmanVictor Dubuisson and last year’s runner-up, Spain’sElvira.
Double heart transplant recipientErik Compton, who won this event before it joined the European Tour schedule in 2005, returns to Morocco this year and gets his campaign under way at 0820 with England’sRichard Bland and last year’s Challenge Tour Number OneJordan Smith.
Inspired by his friend and compatriot Sergio Garcia’s Augusta win last week,Pablo Larrazabal gets started at 0830 in a group with 12 European Tour wins between them as the Spaniard is joined by FrenchmanGregory Bourdy andMatteo Manassero, while former Masters ChampionMike Weir makes a rare European Tour appearance at 0850 alongside Ryder CupperStephen Gallacherand South AfricanJaco Van Zyl.
Moroccan amateur Ayoub Lguirati will kick off the 44th edition of the Trophée Hassan II at precisely 0750 on Thursday.
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