Trophee Hassan II

Venue: Golf du Palais Royal and Golf de L’Océan
Defending Champion Rhys Davies

Rhys Davies won the inaugural Trophée Hassan II, part of The European Tour International Schedule for the first time in 2010 although played since 1971. Davies reaching an impressive 25 under par total to win by two shots from South African Louis Oosthuizen. The tournament was the second European Tour event to be staged in Morocco, following the Moroccan Open which was also played over Rabat’s Royal Dar Es Salam Golf Course. The Trophée Hassan II took place over the club’s impressive Red and Blue courses, and was a pro-am format for the first 2 rounds.

Even though 2010 was the inaugural event as an official ET sanctioned tournament it has been played for quite some time its original inception was down to King Hassan II hence the tournament name he had it originally as a type of money spinner to bring the big names of the time out to Morocco to play a game he had grown to love its most notable winner being Colin Montgomerie who returns this year.

Its not the greates field as you can imagine pre-masters week most of europes big guns are either a) playing stateside or b) already at augusta getting in practice rounds.

But it should make for a decent event the course looks in pristine condition and is on the shorter side of tour courses so scores should be low. Defending champ Rhys Davies is not having best of years so far and is looking to put something together and this event kick started a great 2010 for him can it do the same for 2011.

Oliver Wilson still winless is now in the realms of potential can only get you by for so long before people begin to doubt you and doubt him they are since his RC appearance what has Olly done its time now he showed up and put the ball in the hole, though he states last week he hit it well in practice he is now suffering food poisoning is this him giving his excuses early or a genuine affliction, he has a good game but the game needs to turn to prizes

Finally Darren Clarke, missed cut last week but hitting some fine shots this year just like Olly needs to get the ballin the hole and now he has 3 time major winning caddy (all with Ernie Els) Rickie Roberts can the big Irishman turn it around and deliver a long awaited comeback

(MODS Another sticky if you please)

Ha! Last group - catastrophe on the 18th green. Nerves, nerves, nerves.

Van Zyl can't believe it, he picked up two strokes and joined the playoff just by parring the hole.

What an extraordinary 72nd hole by the last group.

A milestone in European golf: an English choker actually ended up winning...

Then those same three golfers play the same hole twice, and they all play well. No bogeys, one birdie by the winner - who turned out to be the same one who should have won without all this excitement.

Van Zyl couldn't believe his luck on the 18th green. Horsey chokes and has a double bogey, whilst Davies has a simple putt for the championship and he chokes. It was shocking to watch but demonstrated just how much pressure effects players, who are not focused and have that 'winning mentality'.

I accept that I would never be able to keep my emotions in check so could never be a profesional sportsman, but it shows the gulf between the winners and the rest of the field.