HOWELL boost for Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar

2007-10-23


RABAT, October 23rd –- England's David Howell will join his Ryder Cup colleagues Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke in a classy line-up, which promises to unfold an intriguing battle in the sun when the 35th Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar presided by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid gets under way at Rabat's prestigious Royal Golf Dar Es Salam from today (October 24).

The Ryder Cup heroes will be accompanied with a strong pedigree of other world-class players including Jeev Milkha Singh, Mark Davis, Mark O'Meara, Wayne Westner and 2006 runner-up Raphaël Jacquelin who have signed up for the popular event, jointly promoted and organised by golf in DUBAI and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Society.

Often referred to as the world's greatest Pro-Am, the $600,000 tournament has rapidly grown in popularity and profile since its inception in 1971 with the world's leading players regularly heading to the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to savour the traditional Moroccan hospitality.

The current edition of the tournament is no exception. The winner of the 2006 European PGA Championship and 1999 Dubai Desert Classic, Howell boasts an impressive resume which includes the prestigious HSBC Champions Trophy he won in Shanghai in November 2005, outlasting world number one Tiger Woods down the stretch.

Swindon's golfing hero Howell also played a key role in Europe's emphatic 2006 Ryder Cup victory over the USA at the K Club and his final day singles victory -- 5&4 over Brett Wetterich – was the biggest winning margin of the day.

"I'm a better player than I thought I ever would be, however I am not satisfied with my current stature and believe that there is more still to accomplish," said Howell, hinting his best is yet to come.

The Hassan II Golf Trophy Society was delighted with the overwhelming response to the tournament. "We have three Ryder Cup players among others in the field which amply reflects on the quality of the field," said Mohamed Chaibi, executive director of the tournament.

"We are looking forward to seeing some quality golf from these players that I am sure will inspire the young Arab talent to take to the game. Golf has the potential to become a national passion here in Morocco,” Chaibi continued.

Last year, Scotland's Sam Torrance beat French Raphaël Jacquelin in a playoff to win the Hassan II Golf Trophy by Emaar.

ROLL OF HONOUR

2006 Sam Torrance (SCOT)

2005 Erik Compton (USA)

2003 Santiago Luna (ESP)

2002 Santiago Luna (ESP)

2001 Joakim Haeggman (SWE)

2000 Roger Chapman (ENG)

1999 David Toms (USA)

1998 Santiago Luna (ESP)

1997 Colin Montgomerie (SCOT)

1996 Ignacio Garrido (ESP)

1995 Nick Price (ZIM)

1994 Martin Gates (ENG)

1993 Payne Stewart (USA)

1992 Payne Stewart (USA)

1991 Vijay Singh (Fiji)

1985 Ken Green (USA)

1984 Roger Maltbie (USA)

1983 Ron Streck (USA)

1982 Frank Conner (USA)

1981 Bob Eastwood (USA)

1980 Ed Sneed (USA)

1979 Mike Brannan (USA)

1978 Peter Townsend (ENG)

1977 Lee Trevino (USA)

1976 Salvador Balbuena (ESP)

1975 Billy Casper (USA)

1974 Larry Ziegler (USA)

1973 Billy Casper (USA)

1972 Ron Cerrudo (USA)

1971 Orville Moody (USA)