The prestigious 49th Hassan II Trophy and 28th Lalla Meryem Cup officially teed off on Tuesday at the iconic Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. Organized by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG) and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, these tournaments will run through Saturday, drawing some of the greatest names in global golf.
Since becoming part of the European Tour in 2010, the Hassan II Trophy has secured its place as a must-attend event on the international golf calendar. This year’s competition features 66 elite players from 12 nations, including 11 former major champions boasting a collective 16 Grand Slam victories. Among these legends are World Golf Hall of Famers: Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, Spain’s José María Olazábal, and South Africa’s Retief Goosen and Ernie Els. They’ll be joined by defending champions Stephen Ames (Canada, 2023) and Ricardo Gonzalez (Argentina, 2024).
In addition to the main events, a Pro-Am tournament will take place on the Red Course on February 4 and 5, giving both professional and amateur players a unique opportunity to showcase their skills.
First launched in 1993, the Lalla Meryem Cup has grown into a pivotal stop on the Ladies European Tour (LET), attracting top talent from across the globe. The 2024 edition gathers 108 competitors, including Swiss sensation Chiara Tamburlini, the reigning LET Order of Merit champion.
Morocco’s pride will be on full display with five top-tier national players vying for glory. These include Ines Laklalech, who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Maha Haddioui, a veteran of the LET for 12 seasons. Adding to the excitement are rising stars Sofia Essakali, only 15 years old and already a two-time tournament cut survivor, Malak Bouraeda, the first Moroccan to qualify for the US Women’s Open, and Lina Belmati, the 2022 Moroccan champion.
These Moroccan contenders will face fierce opponents like defending champion Bronte Law of England and 2017 winner Klara Davidson Spilkova from the Czech Republic.
On Wednesday, the Green Course will host the “Pro-Am Hassan II Kids Cup by First Tee,” part of the “First Tee Morocco” initiative. This event aims to nurture young Moroccan golf talent by giving them a chance to compete alongside seasoned professionals, reinforcing the country’s long-term commitment to fostering excellence in the sport.
Remarkably, Morocco is the only nation in the world to simultaneously host both a men’s and women’s golf tournament at the same venue on the same dates, a feat that underscores the country’s dedication to elevating its status in international golf.
As the curtain closes on Saturday, the winners of the 49th Hassan II Trophy and 28th Lalla Meryem Cup will be honored in a ceremony celebrating a week of thrilling competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.
