Robert Rock and Matteo Manassero will both be thinking about Augusta when they tee it up at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.
Francesco and Edoardo Molinari both in action in Agadir
Robert Rock and Matteo Manassero will both have The Masters on their minds when they tee it up at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco.
The duo both arrive at the Royal Palace course knowing they need to win the European Tour event if they are certain to be inside the world's top 50 to qualify for this year's first major at Augusta.
Rock, who slipped a place to 57th in the rankings after finishing tied for 17th at the Open de Andalucia, would get the right side of the cut-off line if he ends up in second place, although he could then be bumped out by those competing in the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour.
He can at least call on good memories of playing in Agadir - last year he was one off the lead at the halfway stage, only to slip back over the weekend.
Experience
"I maybe let the tournament slip away last time," Rock told the
European Tour website. "I was on top form and maybe pushed it a little too much towards the end to try to win.
"Hopefully I can rectify some of the mistakes I made last time with the experience I have now.
"I know now that 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 started 2012 in fine style, holding off both Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods to win the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship in January.
However the 34-year-old has failed to replicate that form, though he admits he has struggled to find the time to work on his game since his success in the Middle East.
"I haven't quite had the time that I would have liked on my game because I've had other things to do, but that's not something I'd change," he admitted.
"I'm just getting my head around it now and I've started doing a lot of work."
Narrowly beaten
Manassero, currently the world No.61, knows only a victory will do if he is to be in the field at The Masters. He arrives in Morocco in good form, having come second in Andalucia.
The 19-year-old Italian was only beaten by a course record-equalling closing 64 from little-known Frenchman Julien Quesne at Aloha last Sunday.
"He played amazingly, but I was happy with the way I competed and the Masters is still in my mind," admitted Manassero.
Quesne, up from 322nd in the world to 183rd, is playing again, while the only two players in the field certain of their Masters berths are Ryder Cup brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari.
John Daly is also in action, the American returning to the European Tour having fully recovered from an injury to his right elbow.
Daly tore tendons when he hit a tree root during the final round of the Avantha Masters in India and immediately flew home for treatment.
The course was built for the late King of Morocco, Hassan II, and is now only for the use of his two sons. It is believed only 30 players have used it since Englishman David Horsey triumphed there last season.
