Davies eyes Morocco boost

Rhys Davies is hoping for inspiration on the Moroccan coast as he defends his Hassan II Trophy title this week.

The Welshman won by two shots from Louis Oosthuizen last year and went on to finish 18th in the Race to Dubai.

But he is down in 90th on this year’s order of merit with a 23rd in Abu Dhabi his best finish from six events.

The 25-year-old will have to contend with a change of venue, with the tournament having been moved from the capital, Rabat, to Agadir.

The event has retained its pro-am format for the first two rounds, which will be played on both the Golf du Palais Royal and the Golf de L’Ocean courses, with the final rounds held on the Palais Royal.

Davies told www.europeantour.com: “It will be the first time I’ll be defending a tournament as a professional so it’s something I’m very much looking forward to.

“It’s a different challenge because it’s not the same course but it’s obviously a tournament I’ve got very fond memories of and hopefully I can do the same again.

“There was never any doubt I’d be coming this week. It was one of the first tournaments on my schedule and I’m absolutely relishing the challenge to try and keep my title.

“In some ways it’s a little bit disappointing they’ve moved courses, because you have memories of the good shots you hit at various points on the course, but at the same time we get to go to another part of Morocco, see a different city and have the challenge of conquering another golf course.”

Luna back

Spaniard Santiago Luna will be bidding to win the event for the fourth time, following his triumphs in 1998, 2002 and 2003.

The 48-year-old, who returns to the tournament on a sponsor’s invitation, said: “The first victory is the one I remember the most because it was so special.

“Winning for the first time and being presented with the beautiful trophy – a gold dagger – by Moroccan royalty was amazing. I felt really good about my game and after that I always came to the tournament knowing I would win it.

“Of course, I didn’t win it every year but the times I didn’t win I was always near the top. I can’t explain it, but when I come to this tournament my game has something extra.”