FJ Loyalist Michael Hoey shot a final-round 65 to win the Hassan Trophy in Morocco by three shots.
Hoey (FJ ICON #52005) began the final round two behind the leader, but three birdies inside the last five holes ensured Hoey took home the title.Hoey’s three shot victory lifts him inside the top 15 on The Race to Dubai and puts him back in the hunt for a Ryder Cup debut later this year.
The winner of last year's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, had begun with an opening-round 74 but a 67, followed by successive 65s, gave the 33-year-old his fourth European Tour victory.
"It's amazing," said Hoey. "It's a great golf course, and the weather has been great the last two days. "I knew it was going be tough and I thought it would be tighter at the end, but I was happy to see my last approach land on the 18th green. On his chances of qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team, he added: "I haven't really been thinking about it but I'm in contention now.
Elsewhere Fellow FJ wearer Jamie Donaldson carded a course record 61 - 11 under par - to finish in a tie for third, a further shot back. He was joined on 13 under by fellow FJ ambassador Phillip Price. FJ Sport and StaSof wearer Matteo Manassero, who needed to win in order to qualify for the Masters in April, was in contention at the beginning of the final round, but had to settle for a tie for sixth
Hoey is now second in The Ryder Cup qualifying campaign, and his €250,000 first prize moves him to €316,798 in The Race to Dubai.
Italian teenager Matteo Manassero made his professional debut at last week’s BMW Italian Open on the PGA European Tour as FootJoy's newest brand ambassador. Matteo turned professional earlier last week after a brief but decorated amateur career that included a win at last year’s British Amateur Championship as well as low amateur honors at the 2009 Open Championship and 2010 Masters Tournament. Having just recently celebrated his 17th birthday, Matteo established himself as the youngest player to record a victory at the British Amateur and to compete and make the 36-hole cut at the Masters.
In addition to a full bag of Titleist equipment, Matteo will be wearing FJ ICON golf shoes and a StaSof glove.