Rhys Davies eager to re-claim the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco this week
Welshman Rhys Davies is all set to reclaim the Trophée Hassan II, in Morocco this week, reincarnating his glorious victory in the year 2010 where he landed the title, defeating rampaging South African Louis Oosthuizen by two strokes.
The 26-year-old Davies have fond memories of his maiden European Tour victory on the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat and still cherishes lifting the precious gold dagger encrusted by several jewels and gems.
Davies had to face a tough time to take the weapon on board the flight back to Scotland and was issued a special permission letter from Moroccan Royal family which ultimately allowed him to take the trophy along with him.
Regardless of the vows, Davies hopes to re-claim the title this week.
Davies said, “I am really looking forward to getting back to Morocco for pretty obvious reasons. I think the way we are looked after in Morocco is a big factor, and then you have the golf courses. The Palace course is clearly very special, but all the other
venues that I have visited in Morocco have been excellent as well”.
The Welshman came close to retaining the title for the second time last year but lost the title to Englishman David Horsey on the final hole.
The €1.5million tournament was initially started by the late King Hassan II in 1971 who had a blazing passion for the sport.
The tradition has been kept alive by the successive kings and the event was taken up in the European Tour International Schedule in 2010.
The event is organised at King’s personal course Golf du Palais Royal designed renowned course designer Robert Trent Jones Senior and lies within the premises of Royal Palace of Agadir.
The course is seldom used by the King himself and is maintained in top-notch condition throughout the year.
Davies also recalls the precious dagger he received as the winning trophy apart from the winning prize share.
He added, “It really is an awesome and very special prize. Mine is somewhere at home but I don’t tell too many people where it is exactly because it is so valuable”.
Davies turned professional in the year 2007 and has been part of the mainstream European Tour since 2010. He has three professional events on his belt.
The tournament will boast of a contingent of heavyweight European Tour players including Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, Major Champions Rich Beem and Michael Campbell, eight-time European Tour Money List winner Colin Montgomerie and Italian teenager Matteo
Manassero.
Manassero is in top form after a strong runner up finish in last week’s Open de Andalucía and will be heading to defend his title in Maybank Malaysian Open.
Meanwhile Horsey will also be returning to his favourite hunting ground in Agadir to defend his title in the North African country.
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