Rabat: The 49th edition of the Hassan II Golf Trophy and the 28th edition of the Lalla Meryem Cup will be held on February 03-08, 2025 at the Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club in Rabat, under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the simultaneous staging on the same site of these two competitions, organized by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation (FRMG) and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, perpetuates a tradition established in 1993 by the late HM Hassan II, the founder of the two tournaments. The Hassan II Trophy, which takes place on the Red Course, is, for the third year running, a key event on the PGA Tour Champions. The event will feature 66 legends of world golf, including Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, Tom Lehman, and Jose Maria Olazabal.
In 2024, the competition witnessed a close contest for the top spot. Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez emerged victorious, while Thomas Bjørn from Denmark secured second place with a score of -9, closely followed by Australia’s
Mark Hensby with a score of -7.
The Lalla Meryem Cup, held on the Blue Course, will gather the European elite of women’s golf and serve as the first step of the Ladies European Tour (LET). Among the 108 competitors, Morocco will have representation from 5 players, including Ines Laklalech, Maha Haddioui, and reigning African Amateur champion Sofia Cherif Essakali.
In the previous year, England’s Bronte Law led the tournament with a total of -13. France’s Pauline Roussin Bouchard and Spain’s Fatima Fernandez Cano followed with scores of -10 and -9, respectively. Moroccan player Ines Laklalech achieved a historic performance, finishing in joint 7th place with a score of -6, while young Sofia Cherif Essakali impressed by making the cut for the second consecutive year.
The ‘Pro-Am Hassan II Kids Cup by First Tee’ will also take place, featuring 18 young Moroccan golfers in a fun and educational competition with professionals from the PGA Tour Champions and the LET.
Organized annually by the Royal Moroccan Gol
f Federation and the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, this event serves as a showcase for Morocco on the international stage, the statement concluded.