Davies looks forward to Morocco defence

Golf:Rhys Davies is hoping his first experience of defending a European Tour title will provide him with more good memories of Morocco.

The Welshman's two-shot victory over British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen in the Trophee Hassan II last year was the catalyst for a hugely successful rookie season.

Davies went on to finish 18th in the European money list and he returns to north Africa for this weekend's tournament ranked 94th in the world.

The 25-year-old will have to contend with a change of venue, though, 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, whose winning total of 25-under 266 was the lowest 72-hole score on the tour in 2010, 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."

Alongside Davies in the field for tomorrow's first round will be Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, Simon Khan, David Howell and Simon Wakefield, who shares the course record for the Golf du Palais Royal.

Clarke is joined by compatriots Shane Lowry, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Paul McGinley in Morocco, while Gary Murphy – who lost his full tour card last year – and Niall Kearney compete in this week’s Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour.

Looking for his fourth title, meanwhile, will be Spaniard Santiago Luna, following his triumphs in 1998, 2002 and 2003. The 48-year-old, who returns to the Morocco 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."