ROBERT ROCK and Matteo Manassero go head-to-head in Morocco today and tomorrow with a place in the US Masters up for grabs. In the two months since he beat Tiger Woods and the world’s top four in Abu Dhabi, Rock has slipped from 55th to 57th in the rankings, but he has this one last chance to climb into the top 50 and so earn a debut at Augusta.
The 34-year-old could make it by coming first or second in the Hassan Trophy at the Royal Palace course in Agadir, although a runner-up finish might see him thwarted by others – Ernie Els included – competing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
For 19-year-old Italian Manassero, currently 61st, only a victory will do and his second place at the Andalucian Open last Sunday takes him into the event with high hopes. Rock was one off the lead at halfway last year over the same course but, rather than grabbing his first victory, dropped back to 19th, eight strokes behind fellow Englishman David Horsey.
“I maybe let the tournament slip away last time,” he said. “I was on top form and maybe pushed it a little too much towards the end. Hopefully I can rectify some of the mistakes I made last time with the experience I have now,” Rock said.
“I know now I can finish a tournament off if I have a good first couple of rounds and put myself in position. It’s the type of course I really look forward to playing – old style, tree-lined with some very interesting par threes. It’s one of the best venues on Tour.”
Rock admits since his win in the Middle East, “I haven’t quite had the time I would have liked on my game because I’ve had other things to do, but that’s not something I’d change. I’m just getting my head around it now and I’ve started doing a lot of work”.
Manassero was beaten only by a course record-equalling closing 64 from little-known Frenchman Julien Quesne at Aloha at the weekend. “He played amazingly, but I was happy with the way I competed and the Masters is still in my mind,” said Manassero.
Quesne, up from 322nd in the world to 183rd, is playing again, while the only two players in the field certain of their places at Augusta are Ryder Cup brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari.
Ireland’s hopes rest with Shane Lowry, who finished disappointingly at the Andalucian Open, Damien McGrane, Paul McGinley, Michael Hoey, and Gareth Maybin.
Hassan II Trophy
Course: Golf du Palais Royal, Agadir, Morocco.
Prize money: €1.2 million, €250,000 to winner.
Length: 6,884. Par: 72. Field: 126.
The layout: Designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr inside the walls of the King's palace, it is a short but tough track, with narrow fairways which meander through dense clumps of eucalyptus trees and lead to small contoured greens. The Atlantic wind adds to the challenge.
Defending champion: David Horsey.
Type of player suited to challenge: Precision is essential. The fairways are wafer thin, the small greens provide tough targets.
Key attribute: Accuracy.
Weather forecast: Hot and Sunny.
On TV: Sky Sports 1: Thursday-Friday 3.30-5.30pm; Saturday-Sunday 3-5pm, 2-6pm.
