Fantasy Golf: Trophee Hassan II preview
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The European Tour gets back underway this week with the Trophee Hassan II, which returns to Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco for the second season in a row.
Last year the course was the scene of Jeunghun Wang’s break-through victory at just 20 years old to become the youngest winner of the event in history – and this year he comes back to defend his title after his first trip to Augusta National.
While the World’s best took centre stage at the Masters last week, the majority of them are taking the week off or playing in the RBC Heritage – and there’s not many inside the World’s top 50 making the trip. The good news? The fantasy golf prices are low, and the rewards are big.
Who is playing at the Trophee Hassan II?
Past Winners in the field (that are included in the Fantasy game): Jeunghun Wang (£8.5m), Richie Ramsay (£6m), Alejandro Canizares (£7m), Marcel Siem (£5m), and David Horsey (£7.5m) – who has the best record of any player at this event.
Dean Burmester: Fantasy Price £8.5m
The big-hitting South African made his big breakthrough victory last month, and with a T14 finish at this venue last year, he’s definitely one to watch. He is in the top seven in both the European Tour’s putting stats, and with one of longest drives on tour that combines to make a killer combination when he’s on form. His last four starts? 4th, 7th, 41st, 11th.
Jeunghun Wang: Fantasy Price £8.5m
While Augusta National proved a little much first time around (a pair of 78s), Wang is 48th in the World Ranking and has been gaining experience playing in the big events on the World stage. He finished T23 at the Arnold Palmer Invitaitonal and played in both of the World Golf Championships. He’s also got a win in 2017 at the Qatar Masters, and will come in to this with the confidence of a defending champion – helped by the fact he ranks 5th in Putts per Round this season.
David Horsey: Fantasy Price £7m
He became only the fourth player in European Tour history to make an ace in the final round and go on to win, and the 2011 champion has the best record of any player at this event. Having won in 2011, he was tied second in 2013 and tied eighth in 2014. In 2010 he was tied 29th, tied 14th in 2012 and tied 17th in 2015. It’s been a mixed season of results for Horsey with several missed cuts, but he comes in to this week with a T8 finish at the Hero Indian Open.
Joost Luiten: Fantasy Price £10m
Luiten has been one of the most consistent players this season. He’s only played in five events, but with the excuse of a T39 finish at the WGC Dell Match Play, Luiten has had four finishes inside the T30. He has the advantage of playing in both World Golf Championships over his peers, meaning he’s had more practice than the rest – and on the big stage.
Brandon Stone: Fantasy Price £9m
The South African youngster had to settle for T67 in the WGC-Mexico Championship but prior to that was T4 in the Joburg Open and T7 in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His most recent victory came in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in December, and he’s clearly on a man on great form.
Jordan Smith: Fantasy Price £8.5m
The rookie heads to Morocco for the first time with a solid 2017 campaign. He finished third in the South African Open, finished T6 in Qatar and has had three other top 25s this year already.
James Morrison: Fantasy Price £7.5m
The man with the momentum before the European Tour season’s mini break for the WGC and Masters. His best finish was T4 at the Joburg Open in February, but other than one missed cut, his worst result in five was T23. His last start was the Shell Houston Open, where he finished in a tie for 6th.
Jaco van Zyl: Fantasy Price £8.5m
Van Zyl is still looking for his first victory, and has come close on numerous occasions. He was runner-up in Qatar in January but had gone somewhat off the boil since then. He hasn’t teed up in a competition over a month ago, so will be hoping to bounce back with a good finish.
Pablo Larrazabal: Fantasy Price £8m
Larrazabal will be hoping to take inspiration from Garcia’s long-awaited Masters victory in the hope of achieving his own first victory – but on the European Tour. He made the cut at the WGC Mexico, and finished 2nd in Abu Dhabi this year – but since then his best result was T29. We think he’s up for it. 
Stephen Gallacher: Fantasy Price £6m
The former Ryder Cupper had a tough start to the season with two missed cuts, but his last two finishes were T9 at the Dubai Desert Classic and T29 in the Hero Indian Open – so the form is definitely coming back after injury troubles.
Trophee Hassan II: The Course
For the second consecutive year the event returns to Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, which is built on a 1000 acre site not too far from Rabat, Morocco.
The par-73, 7615 yard course course was commissioned by King Hassan II and was designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Robert Trent Jones, who in his career has designed over 500 courses World wide.
It is regarded as one of the top, and toughest golf courses in Africa, and is a hot spot for major champions. In it’s history, nine Major champions have won here, including Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington.
