Trophee Hassan II Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

IT IS six years since a Welsh golfer called Rhys Davies recorded his maiden European Tour victory in the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. He was 25-year-old and was widely regarded as one of the continent's brightest prospects, all the more so given that he was blessed with a putting stroke that still causes pundits to salivate.

Three years later he was gone, his game having disintegrated. It was a salutary lesson to every young man who steps out on tour with hopes of a glittering career. One minute you are in orbit, the next you have crashed to earth. Just ask Matteo Manassero or Oliver Wilson how that feels.

Davies struggled on manfully and last year enjoyed a decent season on the European Challenge Tour. It was good enough to win him back his tour card and another chance to prove he still belongs at this level. He returns to Morocco and the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam hoping to rediscover some of the winning magic.

He is older and wiser.  “A lot has happened since my win, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs over the past six years but the memories are still fairly fresh. You want to keep the good thoughts at the forefront of your mind and let go of the negative thoughts, but that’s sometimes easier said than done.

That victory came in the inaugural Trophee Hassan II and was followed in 2011 by David Horsey, Michael Hoey (2012), Marcel Siem (2013), Alejandro Canizares (2014) and last year by Richie Ramsay, who is back to defend his title. The course is properly long at 7,485 yards but the warm air means that the ball flies further than normal.

A look at the list of winners above highlights one thing above all else - to win here, you need to be straight from the tee and accurate with your irons. IN truth, the field is a comparatively weak one, which gives some of the tour's lesser lights an opportunity to get some much-needed euros in the bank.

Three years ago, Manassero would have given this tournament a wide berth but he will play just about anywhere right now if it gives him any kind of a chance to find some much-needed confidence. Whisper it, but there were some highly encouraging signs at the recent Shenzhen International that the Italian, who is still only 23, might just be turning a corner.

Dean Burmester is a 26-year-old South African in his first full season on the European Tour, and he is a golfer to watch. he has yet to miss a cut since gaining his card at tour school and has shot nothing worse than a 73 while enjoying three top-12 finishes to date.

Encouraged by fine form in China, Alexander Levy will be keen to kick on and prove it was no flash in the pan. The French golfer suffered a reaction last season to his amazing 2014 season when, for a brief spell, he looked like he might win every event he entered. An emotional character, Levy must find a way to count to 10 and accept what is going on around him.

It will also be fascinating to see how Andrew Johnston copes after winning the Spanish Open. There was a sense that Johnston couldn't quite believe what he had achieved in Spain and that his victory, and everything that comes with it, was a shock to the big man. Johnson is a lovely lad, a happy-go-lucky soul who likes to go out there, smash the ball and then go off in search of it. With a huge, Grizzly Adams-style beard, he doesn't look like a top golfer, but he certainly plays like one.

I make no bones about being bitterly disappointed at the stuttering progress made by Tommy Fleetwood, a golfer from Southport I have been following since his amateur days. A solitary victory is a poor return for a golfer of his prodigious skills. The 25-year-old works incredibly hard at his game and should be targeting a Ryder Cup berth this year because he is easily good enough to make the European team.

Fleetwood sets high standards for himself and gets down on himself when things don't go to plan - in this game, they seldom go to plan. He is surrounded by a good team and when he eventually realises that he needs to take the time to smell the flowers, the floodgates could open. I have a good feeling for his chances this week.

And look out, too, for Ramsay. The Scot is a streaky player who tends to put three or four good weeks together and then go off the boil. He is simmering nicely right now, with a good showing in the China Open last week.

To Win:

Richie Ramsay. Former winner, and in form

Each Way:

Dean Burmester. Brilliant South African prospect

Each Way:

Tommy Fleetwood. Needs to calm down and trust his swing

Fantasy Picks

Richie Ramsay. I have a feeling in my water

Dean Burmester. Has all the shots

Tommy Fleetwood. Ready for a great week, and badly needs one

Eddie Pepperell. Shocking start to year, but it can't go on

Matteo Manassero. Everybody is rooting for him

Alexander Levy. Has rediscovered his self-belief

Andrew Johnston. One of the most popular guys on tour, but can he kick on?

Raphael Jacquelin. Elegant swing, great temperament

Julien Quesne. Exciting French golfer

Kristoffer Broberg. Highest ranked player in the field