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Since its introduction to the European Tour in 2010 the Hassan Trophy has attracted some of the tour’s finest talents to the Golf du Palais Royal in Morocco – and this week will be no exception.

A strong field, including, Ross Fisher, George Coetzee, and Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal head to Morocco this Thursday in the hope of capturing Marcel Siem’s title.

The German lead from start last year and never looked back, eventually winning by three shots to take the title. However, luck will have to be on Siem’s side this week, as no previous winner of the Hassan Trophy has ever gone on to defend their crown.

South African Coetzee is the bookies’ favorite for the Hassan Trophy at 14/1. The recent Joburg Open champion finished in a tie for 16th last week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship and knows that a win this week would book him a second appearance in the Masters.

“This is an unbelievable golf course and very few people are lucky enough to come inside the palace walls, let along play golf here,” noted the 27-year-old. “The Hassan Trophy is a wonderful tournament, so I’m excited to be here. Hopefully I can have a good week and get into the Masters – that would make a special week very special indeed.”

The Europeans in the field will be looking to impress Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley

Fresh from a victory in his last outing, England’s Fisher finished an impressive 20-under-par to win the Tshwane Open, and is sure to pose a threat this weekend, whilst Larrazabal knows a strong finish would enhance his own Ryder Cup prospects.

A large Scottish contingent will also gather in Morocco, headlined by Richie Ramsay – making his first appearance on the European Tour since November after being sidelined by injury – and Marc Warren. One player not taking part, however, is Paul Lawrie. The former Open champion has decided to sit this one out in favour of watching his beloved Aberdeen playing in the final of the League One Cup this Sunday.

The Europeans in the field will be looking to impress Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who will be keen to assess some of the players bidding to make his team for this year’s match at Gleneagles. The Irishman will be partnered in the opening two rounds by Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain and Denmark’s Morten Orum Madsen.