European Tour: Trophee Hassan II

It's somewhat ironic that in the week when the creme of the PGA Tour and world golf (minus the 'creme de la creme') is gathering at Bay Hill, in (aka) 'The King' Arnold Palmer's backyard, over here on the European Tour, what's left of the ET cream (a pretty decent bunch, if you ask me + John Daly ) are quietly and very happily gathering inside the pallace grounds of the (real) King Hassan II of Marocco. The tournament is only in it's 3rd year and is returning to the very exclusive Golf du Palais Royal venue in Agadir. And at least judging from the numerous praising comments I read from the players these last few days, this seems to be one of the best courses and places to be on tour. Alex Noren was over extatic on twitter the other day: "Morocco course is very very very very very very very fun!".

The two former winners are David Horsey and Rhys Davies, both struggling at the moment with their game, and one would think there's no better opportunty for them to rekindle their lost form. But a lot of the attention will focus on the performances of Robert Rock and Matteo Manassero this week, as they have their last chance to get their tickets to this year's Masters. For RRock, the very minimum required is a 2-way tie for 2nd place (although he'll need a huge dose of luck to go with that), while for Matteo the story is pretty straightforward - only a win will do! Franny Molinari is the highest ranked player in the field and after showing some positive signs of coming back into form a couple of weeks ago at Doral, he may (or may not) decide to stay in his fellow Italian's way...

Watched the European Tour weekly show last night when I got home, and was shocked to hear what David Lynn and Robert Rock had to say about the course

They to praised its superb condition, what shocked me was when they said "they'd been told by officials "since they played the tournament last year no-one has played the course". Effectively saying no golfer at all has set foot on the turf there!

Indeed Fader, no divots or pitchmarks anywhere!

That's true, calling that place 'very exclusive' is something of an understatement...
Just to mention that Rhys Davies's win 2 years ago came on a different 'royal' venue in Dar-es-Salam...

Anyway, looking at the leaderboard right now, I have some doubts that no golfer has set foot on that course over the last year. It's early days, I know, but leading at 3-under par after 7 holes is the local amateur (!!!) Mustapha El Maouas... !!!!!! (very colorful scorecard, starting with an eagle)

...and he moves to 4-under after 8!!!

You'd be inclined to think it might be easy, but then looking at the bottom of the LB you see Peter Uihlein (and James Morrison) at 7-over after only 6 holes! His last three scores are 9-7-5... at least he's moving in the right direction, unlike Morrison...

As our local amateur friend is fading away quietly, Joost Luiten does a bit of an 'Ernie' by waking up far too late for a Masters qualification attempt, but a strong performance and a win are welcome anytime. Good start by the Irish duo of Lawrie and McGrane, but then it has to be said that they're often having strong starts only to waste it all later in the week. And in these early hours of the tournament, it looks like Franny may be the one who came over here mainly for the Royal pleasures, while his bro Doddo is the one chassing a good result...

Both Molinaris now out of their Fiats and into their Maseratis.

Peter Uihlein a good advertisement for Finchem's PGA Tour changes.

kwinigolfer wrote:Both Molinaris now out of their Fiats and into their Maseratis.

I like that... hopefully Matteo will turn up in his Ferrari later on...

Daly in his JCB - a six followed by a nine.

I wonder if he had any angry dig into the royal fairways after that...!? If he did he's gonna be in deep trouble with the royal guards...

"hopefully Matteo will turn up in his Ferrari later on"

I dont think he can drive, seem to remember him being asked about passing his test after a round recently, and he said he has yet to take it.

I've been to Agadir where this is being held. It's a right dump.

McLaren wrote:"hopefully Matteo will turn up in his Ferrari later on"

I dont think he can drive, seem to remember him being asked about passing his test after a round recently, and he said he has yet to take it.

Not sure if he passed the road test yet, but he seems to have passed the theory test at least...

http://www.redbullracing.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/Manasseros-F1-Driving-Test-021243071643916

Sorry to see that Luiten's DAF broke down.

Some astonishing scorecards out there, Hutsby being as bad as any, Michael Campbell's not much better - perhaps his Bluebird sank?

Hutsby had 2 x 6's, 2 x 7's and a NINE! Plus three consecutive birdies.

An 11 at the par 4 4th for the man with the best barnet in golf.. Mr Rock.

Is there something we should know about the 3rd and 4th holes??

Even though it's only Thursday afternoon, it's probably safe enough to say that RRocky's dreams of getting inyto the Masters are all but over... Great start by Matteo though, certainly driving in his Ferrari (or Red Bull) so far...

Withdrawal by Soren Hansen following a front nine 49. That's not going to pay any back-taxes, might as well cut losses and go home.

Not sure how 'fun' that course is, but it can certainly do funny things to players' scorecards. Looks to me it's gonna be one of those weeks when anything can happen and it's not over until it's over...

Just read about another 'fun' thing that happened today in the royal bunkers of Agadir... Branden Grace had to declare a ball lost as he and his caddy simply couldn't find it after it went in a bunker... Can't remember hearing something like that before...

Lairdy wrote:Is there something we should know about the 3rd and 4th holes??

Hansen also made a 9.

pedro wrote:

Lairdy wrote:Is there something we should know about the 3rd and 4th holes??

Hansen also made a 9.

Hansen went out in 49 too.. What has happened to him?

Quite likely that this course could get even trickier today with the high winds. Play suspended and won't resume until at least 10am...

Wouldn't it be ironic if Billy Payne's wish came true, this tournament was played at 36 holes, and owgr points were reduced?

Let's hope that doesn't happen.

whats behind this Kwini. something i missed regarding Billy Payne?

At the moment there is some talk about the possibility of being reduced to 54, so I'm hoping we are and will remain far away from the 36-hole option...

hend0,
I'm just (mischievously?) suggesting that, if Billy Payne wanted Matteo at Augusta National, he would have invited him at the same time he gave a second free pass to Ishikawa.

Seriously the caddies dont need to walk the course for the first round cos the pins are where they left them after round four last year.
Shame for Roberto with the 11-character building

They're on their way now.
Robbie needs a 69 to be sure of playing the weekend; hope he can score much better than that.

At the end of last year we were about to write their obituaries as they came very close to losing their tour cards, now Philip Price and Damien McGrane are leading. Shaky start for the Italians...

Scoring looks a little less prone to Rugby scores so far today.
Robert playing "Like a Rock", be nice if he could keep going at this pace.

Very nice start by rrocky...
Forza Matteoooooooo!!

What a pitty, without that 11 yesterday Rock would've been in the top 3 now...
Matteo looks a bit out of place at #4

1. Price @ 45 years old
2. McGrane @ 41
3. Kingston @ 46
4. Matteo @ 18

Funny little piece shown during the Moroccan event coverage, asking various players general knowledge questions about that place and event. The most shocking (or is it?) was when they were asked on the coast of what ocean is Agadir situated. From a total of about 10-12 guys, half were not able to give any answer, about a quarter said Pacific and the other quarter just about said Atlantic but with only about 20% confidence in their voice... Well done guys!

I notice Paul McGinley withdrew after a 79 on Round 1................i suppose when you spent mon & tues farting around at the Tavistock, it's hardly ideal preparation for an event in Morocco..........................

John, dont tell Kwini. It may send him over the top and onto a killing spree.

So long as he got the frequent flyer miles, I suppose it was all worthwhile.

kwinigolfer wrote:So long as he got the frequent flyer miles, I suppose it was all worthwhile.

...I think he was more interested in the $60,000 he got for coming third with Queenwood. Poor fellas!

Matteo and Ernie on the way up, c'mooon lads, you can do it...!

...and all of a sudden Matteo is only one behind the lead!!!!!!!

Mama miaaaaaa!!! In the space of less than half an hour Matteo moved from 4-5 behind into a share of the lead!!! Fantastico!

It's almost as if the Molinaris have "launched" Matteo in the same way that Renshaw and the rest of the HTC boys launch Cavendish . . . . .

Peter Uilhein has not played well since he turned pro. I think it was a big mistake for him to turn pro when he did. I can't believe he didn't get any Tour card (not even NW or Challenge) and he still turned pro.

Chubby must have done some sweet talking.

Rumors were that he was not doing well at school but winter it was still an odd time to turn pro especially after failing at Q-school.

Go Matteo! Kick some butt!

According to the GC scoreboard, Uhilein and a couple of others were MDF. What does that stand for? The cut was one over and these MDF guys are shown with scores of worse than that yet they're listed at the bottom of the guys who are still playing rather than at the bottom of the cut guys. MDF ??

MDF usually stands, in PGA Tour-speak, for Made Cut Did Not Finish, reserved for those few instances when more than 78 golfers make a Tour cut and they then institute a second cut after Round 3.

In this case I think it was just straightforward retirements by guys who hadn't a hope in hell of making the 36-hole cut.

Have a butcher's at Jamie Donaldson's round.
Started out with six straight 3's, then a 2, then a birdie 4. 59 watch?

Anyone have a clue why Golf Channel does not have the 4th round coverage?

C'mon Matteo!

Donaldson -9 through 12. Only parred last 2 holes.

The Golf Channel is very limited in its capacity, ideas and resolve.

Streamers can watch the action here:

http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/115359/1/watch-european-tour-2012---trophee-hassan-i.html

What on earth is Sjoholm wearing??

The Numbers According to Hoey

Michael Hoey is 33 years old, has been playing golf for decades and is realizing a blossoming in his pro career when most are considering what to do next to pay the bills as their promising careers are on the wane. This of course is only based on the numbers which can be interpreted as one likes.

Turned pro: 1998, 1 event
2002: Ranked 177 in Order of Merit (R2D now)
2006: 27 events played, 7 cuts made
2009: 27 events played, 11 cuts made, 300K + in earnings, R2D = 93
2010: 27 events played (sounds like a broken record), 18 cuts made, 300K + in earnings, R2D = 90
2011: 30 events played, 20 cuts made, 900K + in earnings, R2D = 25
2012: 5 events played, 4 cuts made, currently challenging for victory