Top picture from left: Last year's Hassan II Golf Trophy winner Ricardo Gonzalez, PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady, Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (RMGF) Second Vice President Hassan El Mansouri, RMGF First Vice President Maitre Zine, President of the Competition Organization Commission Jalil Benazzouz, former Lalla Meryem Cup winner Diane Barnard and defending champion Bronte Law during a press conference yesterday. Pic: Fawad Hussain /The Peninsula. Inset from left: Last year's Hassan II Golf Trophy winner Ricardo Gonzalez, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els
Rabat, Morocco: Ricardo Gonzalez has returned to Rabat’s Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, the venue where he clinched his maiden win on the PGA Tour by sealing victory in the previous edition of the Hassan II Golf Trophy.
The Argentinean scored 10-under-par 209 to claim a memorable win edging Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn by a single shot.
“It was a great win, and I am delighted to be here again,” Gonzalez told The Peninsula yesterday.
“I made special preparations for this tournament. I’ve worked very hard to get ready and defend my title. I am very, very confident about retaining it.”
However, the 55-year-old expects a stiffer challenge this year as the event features a star-studded lineup including several Major winners.
“The field is one of the toughest in this tournament’s history. It’s going to be a difficult challenge against strong contenders like Ernie Els and Steven Alker. I need to stay more focused for a good result, and I’m looking forward to it. The conditions are similar but a bit colder than last year,” he said.
The 49th edition of the Hassan II Trophy marks its third consecutive year as part of the PGA Tour Champions. A total of 66 golfers from 12 nations will tee off tomorrow at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Red Course. The lineup features stars like Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen, Stephen Ames and Tom Lehman.
PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady expressed his excitement about returning to Rabat for what he described as a “great tournament.”
“We have a good number of golfers playing here for the first time. The reputation of this event is growing stronger every year. Every time we come here, we see improvements in all aspects. We enjoy the experience,” Brady said during the pre-event press conference.
“It’s a strong lineup, and we are expecting an interesting battle for the title. Ricardo [Gonzalez] won last year with a fine performance,” he added.
The Hassan II Golf Trophy will run concurrently with the Lalla Meryem Cup, held at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Blue Course.
The Lalla Meryem Cup will kick off the Ladies European Tour for the 13th time, featuring 108 golfers.
Organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (RMGF), led by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, is hosting the two tournaments.
RMGF Vice President Maitre Zine expressed confidence in hosting the tournaments in a befitting manner.
“We warmly welcome all participants to the prestigious Hassan II Trophy and Lalla Meryem Cup. We look forward to thrilling action and wish everyone the best. We are fully prepared to deliver a memorable event,” Zine said.
