Club: Golf Du Palais Royal

Location: Agadir, Morocco

Date: March 22-25, 2012

European Tour Golf Betting Odds: The Hassan Golf II Trophy has been in existence since 1971 but has only been recognized as part of the European Golf Tour since 2010. It is a rare event as it is held in Morocco at the Golf Du Palais Royal course and takes place each year during the end of March/beginning of April. Last year Welshman Rhys Davies emerged victorious at the event during its first season as part of the Race to Dubai, and he upset the odds in doing so.

Davies reached an impressive 25- under par total to win by two shots over South African Louis Oosthuizen. Twelve months earlier the young Welshman had no status in Europe but won the SWALEC Wales Open on the Challenge Tour event and went on to earn a European Tour card via the Challenge Tour Rankings. The final round became a straight fight between the pair but Davies powered into the lead with eight birdies in 11 holes. 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 moves to the Golf du Palais Royal, in Agadir, for 2012.

Prior to being part of the European Tour it had been well attended and won by some top players from the world of golf including Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els. And it is worth looking out for the top names for the upcoming tournament to see if any stars are making their way to Morocco to compete for the 1.375 million Euro prize fund. With The Masters on the horizon, most of the super stars will probably take the week off, giving someone the opportunity to etch his name on the trophy, pick up a huge check, and gain status to compete in the Majors.

Check out the 2012 Hassan Golf II Trophy, March 22-25, live on the Golf Channel. Bookmaker will have the live Odds to Win the week of the tournament and live Odds for every tournament on the 2012 European Tour schedule.

2012 Trophee Hassan II Winner - Michael Hoey shoots 65 to claim Morocco win

Michael Hoey shot back-to-back 65s in Agadir to win the European Tour's Trophee Hassan II.

The Northern Irishman clawed back a nine-shot deficit after round one on the Golf du Palais Royal course to win by three strokes over Ireland's Damien McGrane.

Jamie Donaldson of Wales posted a course record 61 to finish in a tie for third with compatriot Phillip Price and England's Robert Coles.

Hoey, a former British amateur champion, won with a 17-under-par total of 271 to collect the €250,000 first prize and the winner's silver dagger.

After worrying about even making the cut following his opening round of 74, Hoey described his consecutive 65s as "pretty special".

The win is Hoey's fourth on the European Tour, with his last triumph at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in St Andrews last year.

He has now won three tournaments in his last 25 starts on the European Tour.

McGrane, who had led after each of the first three rounds, could only manage a 70 on the final day, despite starting strongly with back-to-back birdies on the opening holes.

The 40-year-old began the final round tied with Italian Matteo Manassero, who had to win to make the US Masters via the world's top 50 route.

But the 18-year-old's challenge faded, shooting a 72 to earn a tie for sixth with fellow Italian Edoardo Molinari and South Africa's Keith Horne on 12-under-par.

England's David Horsey wins European Tour 2011 Trophee Hassan II Golf in Morocco

England's David Horsey has won the European Tour 2011 Trophee Hassan 11 Golf in Morocco after a play-off with defending champion Rhys Davies of Wales and South Africa's Jaco Van Zyl in Agadir.

In an incredible 15 minutes, David Horsey of England held a one shot lead over Rhys Davies of Wales and a two strokes advantage over South Africa's Jaco Van Zyl, playing the 72nd hole.

On the tight final hole all three players hit perfect tee shots. Davies and Van Zyl hit the green and the stage was set for Horsey to join them from about 155 yards. Horsey came up short right with an 8 or 9 iron, duffed his pitch shot and missed from 4 feet for bogey.

In a comedy of errors, Davies knocked his 1st putt 4 feet past and missed the return for victory.

Van Zyl putted twice for par to unexpectedly join Davies and Horsey in a sudden-death pay-off. Van Zyl, was very fortunate when he drove into the trees at the 1st play-off hole and found a gap to the green. He managed to hit his iron shot 25 feet from the hole.

Horsey and Davies split the fairway at the 1st extra hole. Horsey pushed a 9 iron into the right hand greenside bunker and Davies finished 20 feet from the hole.

Davies and Van Zyl both missed their long putts to win the Trophee Hassan 11.

Hosey splashed out the bunker to 8 feet and holed out for a par to join Davies and Van Zyl in re-playing the 18th hole.

At the 2nd extra hole, Van Zyl missed the green right and came close to holing his bunker shot. Horsey stiffed his second for a certain birdie three and Davies hit his iron shot to 10 feet.

Davies missed his birdie putt and Van Zyl also made par for a relieved Horsey to be crowned 2011 Trophee Hassan 11 Champion.

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