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Newly crowned Senior PGA Championship winner Richard Bland, Ryder Cup legend Graeme McDowell and defending champion Jazz Janewattananond are among the big names set to tee up in a star-studded field at International Series Morocco.
The USD $2 million tournament takes place at the iconic Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Red Course in Rabat from 4-7 July, and will feature a host of LIV Golf League stars and the cream of the Asian Tour.
Bland, the 51-year-old member of Cleeks GC on the LIV Golf League, shot a final-round eight-under-par 63 on Sunday to finish at 17-under for a three-stroke victory on his senior major debut at Harbor Shores Resort in Michigan.
Richard Bland of Cleeks GC on the driving range ahead of his LIV Golf London second round at the Centurion Club on 8 July 2023. Picture by LIV Golf.
McDowell, a Ryder Cup hero for Europe and a member of Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC team, was crowned US Open champion at Pebble Beach in 2010, becoming the first European to win the coveted Major since Tony Jacklin 40 years previously.
Thai golfer Jazz, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, produced a brilliant eagle-birdie finish to claim the International Series Morocco trophy by one shot from Richard T Lee of Canada in the 2022 edition.
Other big names include South Africa’s Stinger GC star Branden Grace and Spanish youngster Eugenio Chacarra of Fireballs GC, the 2023 St Andrews Bay Championship winner.
Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent, last season’s International Series Vietnam champion and a winner at the KitKat Cash & Carry Pro-Am on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa at the weekend, is also confirmed.
Graeme McDowell pictured during round two of the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Tunas Niaga Energi at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, Indonesia on 17 November 2023. Picture by Asian Tour.
The LIV Golf League newcomer earned a place on Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team through the LIV Golf Promotions event in December, and he will line up alongside team-mate Caleb Surratt and Range Goats GC player Peter Uihlein.
In-form American John Catlin, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader and International Series Rankings No.2 after completing remarkable back-to-back victories earlier this season, will also play in the fourth of 10 dates on The International Series that form the Asian Tour-sanctioned pathway onto the LIV Golf League.
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The 33-year-old carded an historic 59, a first ever for the Asian Tour, on his way to a thrilling sudden-death play-off victory over David Puig in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in March, before roaring to a seven-shot victory in the Saudi Open presented by PIF the following month.
He will be joined by Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, and International Series Thailand 2023 champion Wade Ormsby, with Thai stars Sarit Suwannarut and Sadom Kaewkanjana – both multiple Asian Tour champions – also confirmed.
Jazz Janewattananond pictured with the International Series Morocco trophy on 6 November 2022 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Picture by Asian Tour.
M. Mustapha Zine, first Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation added: “We are delighted to welcome back The International Series to Morocco. Royal Golf Dar Es Salam is a golf club steeped in tradition and heritage, the perfect location to welcome the cream of the Asian Tour, the LIV Golf League stars and also the best Moroccan talent.”
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Our return to Morocco is another example of the important role The International Series plays in the global golf ecosystem.
“The International Series offers players the chance to compete for a big-money purse at a wonderful destination, while also providing a pathway to the LIV Golf League that has already proved life-changing for a number of Asian Tour players.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series with Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour
“We also provide a golden opportunity for the region’s best talent to mix with some of the biggest names in world golf.
“In the 2022 edition, Ayoub Lguirati from Morocco finished T28, and another nine amateurs and professionals from the country gained invaluable experience playing in a field of elite-level golfers from around the world. We are confident we will see similar returns this year.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “Royal Golf Dar Es Salam has a rich tradition in golf. The 2022 tournament was a great success, and this is another wonderful opportunity to bring elite-level golf to the country, and generate further interest in the sport across the wider region.”
International Series Morocco takes place from 4-7 July at the Royal Dar Es Salam Red Course in Rabat. It is the eighth event of the Asian Tour season.
Main Image: Patrick McDermott
