Golfing giants touch down in Rabat ahead of International Series Morocco

November 1st, 2022 – Morocco Some of the biggest names in the world of golf took time away from the course to see the spectacular sights of historic Rabat ahead of this week’s International Series Morocco, the Asian Tour event taking place at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam from November 3-6.

Thai legend Kiradech Aphibarnrat, compatriot and International Series Singapore champion Nitithorn Thippong, Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Bio Kim of Korea and Moroccan star Ayoub Lguirati enjoyed a sightseeing trip to the historic Mausoleum of Mohammed V in central Rabat, as part of a whistle-stop tour of some of the city’s many cultural sites ahead of tournament week.

Aphibarnrat, a multiple winner on the Asian and European Tour, said: “It is my first time here in Morocco. When I heard the event was coming here it was something I really started looking forward to - it is my first time here in Morocco, I’m really excited to be here, it is a beautiful country and I can’t wait to see the golf course and get playing.”

Thippong, currently third in the Asian Tour OOM, added: “It is great to be here in Morocco playing an International Series event. The golf course is really nice. My form has been good this year, and I won in Thailand last month, so for me form-wise, it is so far so good!

“The International Series events are good for both the Asian Tour and players. The series gives us more big events to perform in over the course of the season and more opportunities than ever. My International Series win in Singapore has given me good confidence, but this is a new week and a new competition, and I just need to focus on doing what I have to do.”

Korean Kim, who lost out to compatriot Taehoon Ok by a single stroke last time out at the International Series Korea at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club on Jeju Island in August, added: “I’m very excited to be playing in the International Series Morocco. It is the very first time I have visited here but I already like it and I am looking forward to a good week.

“The venues are always great for the International Series events and the players see these events as big tournaments that they all want to win. For me, it is all about trying to lift up a trophy I have never won this week. I haven’t played too much of late, with a few events in Asia and the United States, but my game is getting there, I’m putting a little better and I’m shaping the ball better with my new driver, so I feel good. I’m leading on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and I’m certainly aiming to try and extend that this week, so let’s go out and make some birdies.”

For Lguirati, it is an honour to represent his country at such an illustrious tournament on home soil. He said: “I am excited to play, it is an honour to play in this momentous event in Morocco - I will try to enjoy every moment and every shot. It is very good for the players and for the visiting golfers to experience our country, and it is also a great opportunity for Morocco to welcome such high caliber golfing talent.”

The Morocco event is the fifth in the International Series calendar and the first of two back-to-back tournaments, with the International Series Egypt taking place next week on the Madinaty Golf Course in Cairo from November 10-13. Both events offer US$1.5m in prize money.