Saddier Sets Pace in Morocco


France's Adrian Saddier opened with a 7-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the Trophee Hassan II. The European Tour event got underway Thursday at Golf du Palais Royal in Adagir, Morocco.

Saddier, a 22-year-old Monday qualifier playing in only his second tournament of the year, got off to a rousing start with an eagle on the par-5 first and tacked on five more birdies, with no dropped shots. On his eagle, he chipped in from off the green.

One stroke back is England's Daniel Gaunt, while two back are South Africa's George Coetzee, Scotland's David Drysdale and Brit Chris Wood.

"I'm very happy - I was very grateful to get an invite to play here," Saddier told the European Tour's website. "This place is just unbelievable. I played very solid today - I had a chip in for eagle on the first then another chip in on six, so it was a great start and I kept it going," added Saddier, who lost his full playing privileges last year after finishing 127th in the Race to Dubai and missed the cut on his only 2015 appearance at the Joburg Open.

"I just have a little category on the European Tour so I will be focused on the Challenge Tour this year. I played last week in Madeira and although the tournament was canceled I was playing well in the strong wind so I'm in good shape for this week.

"It's almost my best round; I shot 64 in Qatar last year, which was 8-under, so this is one of my best rounds. If I could get a win it would change my schedule as at the moment I'm playing on the Challenge Tour. I just need to focus on each shot now and see what happens."

Coetzee needs a victory this week to get into the world top-50 and qualify for the Masters, which would be his first appearance in a major. "There was no plan today," he said. "I played yesterday and I think I shot 102. I was quite happy when there was no wind this morning - it worked out pretty well today.

"Augusta is on my mind, obviously. I'm here to try to qualify, but I'm just trying to play golf and hopefully on Sunday I will be in contention. I'm happy with my start. It looks better than it felt, but I'm happy to post a good number . . . There is still a lot of work to be done.

"I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully still lead on Sunday. If it all doesn't work out then I've got a nice five-week holiday. I'm just playing and enjoying my golf. I'm in a good space mentally."

Trailing Saddier by three are Anthony Wall, Marcel Siem, Soren Kjeldsen, Romain Wattel, Oliver Wilson, Richard Green, Mikko Korhonen, Moritz Lampert and Eduardo de la Riva.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015022/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.