SUNDAY MARCH 25, 2012 – TROPHÉE HASSAN II
• His fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 151st European Tour event.
• Moves to €316,798 in The Race to Dubai.
• Would move to around 70th from 98th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
• His second consecutive season with a European Tour victory, following the 2011 Madeira Islands Open and 2011 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
• This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied 12th in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy.
• His third European Tour win in his last 25 European Tour events, dating back to the 2011 Madeira Islands Open.
• Began the final round two shots behind the leaders. This equals the largest 54 hole comeback by a winner since the event became part of The European Tour. He would match the figure of Rhys Davies in 2010.
• The first Northern Irish victory of the 2012 European Tour season.
• The first player from Northern Ireland to win the Trophée Hassan II.
• Victory comes in his third appearance in the event and beats his previous best performance of tied 19th in 2011.
His three shot winning margin is the largest since the event became part of The European Tour in 2010.
His final 36 hole total of 130 (-14) is the lowest of The European Tour in 2012, as well as the lowest in relation to par.
His final round of 65 (-7) is the lowest final round by a winner since the event became part of The European Tour in 2010.
OTHER FACTS
• The 44th Northern Irish win in European Tour history.
• His seventh win as a professional.
• Extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2014.
• Gains a place in the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.
• Moves over €2 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.
• Becomes the seventh former Challenge Tour player to win on the 2012 European Tour. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (Africa Open), Branden Grace (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions), Robert Rock (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol) and Michael Hoey (Trophée Hassan II).
• Becomes the 292nd European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.
