International Series Morocco Kicks Off with Thrilling Competition
The International Series Morocco, proudly presented by Visit Morocco, commenced its much-anticipated fourth edition on Thursday at the prestigious Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The opening round showcased impressive scoring, dynamic shifts on the leaderboard, and a competitive international field, all set against the backdrop of warm conditions in Rabat. This tournament has firmly established itself as a vital component of the Asian Tour schedule, reinforcing Morocco's status as a premier destination for international golfing events. With the support of Visit Morocco, the tourism initiative of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), this event is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at merging elite sports with global visibility and fostering local talent development.
Notable Performances and Leaderboard Dynamics
Jointly endorsed by LIV Golf and the Asian Tour, the International Series Morocco features a robust prize fund of $2 million (approximately MAD 18.2 million), attracting a world-class roster of competitors. The field includes over 20 players from LIV Golf, regulars from the Asian Tour, emerging talents from the region, and top professionals from Morocco. As the first round progressed, a thrilling change occurred at the top of the leaderboard, with Thailand's Pavit Tangkamolprasert making a remarkable late push to claim the lead. With an impressive finish that included seven birdies, Tangkamolprasert completed the round with a score of 63 (-7), positioning himself at the forefront after an exhilarating late charge reshaped the standings.
American golfer Travis Smith closely followed, delivering a disciplined yet aggressive performance with a score of 66 (-6), maintaining his competitiveness after establishing an early benchmark with seven birdies. Meanwhile, Korea's Younghan Song joined him in the chase, also finishing with a 66 (-6), showcasing a steady and well-controlled opening round that sets him up favorably for the remainder of the tournament.
Additionally, Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana entered the tie for fourth place, wrapping up his round with a score of 68 (-4) after a consistent display in the morning wave, which briefly placed him among the early leaders before the leaderboard tightened during the afternoon. In a post-round interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Kaewkanjana expressed his joy at returning to Morocco and praised the excellent playing conditions. "It’s a very good place and a very nice golf course. The greens are very nice. I love playing in Morocco," he remarked, emphasizing the role of morning conditions in shaping scoring opportunities.
Moroccan golfer Nizar Bourehim completed his opening round with a score of +2 (75), competing in front of local fans on a course that holds personal significance for him. Despite facing tough competition, Bourehim described the experience as a significant milestone in his career, expressing pride in representing his country in such a prestigious event. He shared, "It’s a dream come true to play with players that I grew up watching on TV, and now I am playing with them in the same tournament." Bourehim also commended the event's organization and the positive atmosphere, highlighting how visiting players are enjoying their time in Morocco, as well as the local cuisine.
Reflecting on his admiration for American golfer Bubba Watson, Bourehim recalled a moment that profoundly influenced his golfing journey. "I’m left-handed, I don’t play golf left-handed, but I am naturally left-handed, so I’m a huge fan of Bubba Watson. For me, it’s an honor to be playing in the same event, on the same golf course, alongside him," he noted. As the first round of the International Series Morocco concluded, the stage is set for an exciting tournament, with Tangkamolprasert leading the pack and local interest alive through performances by Smith, Song, Kaewkanjana, and Bourehim as they continue to compete in Rabat.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
