Published July 17, 2008 on April 18, 2018

Dunne Determined to Make Amends at Trophée Hassan II

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Irishman Paul Dunne insists he is as determined as ever ahead of the 2018 Trophée Hassan II following his runner-up finish at last week’s Open de España.

The 25-year-old was also runner-up to Italy’s Edoardo Molinari after a playoff at last year’s Trophée Hassan II, his best finish on the European Tour at the time, and then went on to secure his first title later that season at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports.

Dunne’s recent run of form, including two consecutive top ten finishes in the United States, has seen the Dubliner rise to a career-high 68th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Dunne said, “Last year, I think it was the first time i was really in that position with three or four holes to play. I learned about how best I can handle it. Then I did a good job of that when it came to the British Masters, but it was a great experience.

“It was great to know that on a tough course like this, I could play well and give myself a lead. Obviously, it’s much different this year with the greens, but it’s still the same layout from tee-to-green visually, so hopefully I can have another good week.

“The golf course is going to keep everybody on edge. The greens are new, slopey and quite firm, and it’s one of the tougher courses we play on Tour off the tee as well.

“After Spain, I’m not any more determined than normal. My game has been in good shape for five or six weeks now. I’ve been playing some good golf every week. I’m just going to continue what I’m doing and hopefully have another chance to win and see if I can do better.”

Since Molinari’s third European Tour victory in 2017, the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam has undergone an extensive redesign, with all 18 greens rebuilt by architect James Duncan, posing a new challenge for the 156-man field in Morocco.

Dunne and Molinari will tee it up in the first two rounds of this year’s Trophée Hassan II in the company of 2016 Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters.

Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn will be joined by 2016 Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett and Matt Wallace, already a two-time winner in just his second season on the European Tour.