• Trophee Hassan Day One

Clarke in contention as Dougherty leads

Francesco Molinari was in fine form on day one © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Davies claims maiden Tour win in Morocco
  
• News: Oosthuizen in control in Morocco
  
• News: Davies leads at halfway point of Trophee Hassan II
  

Nick Dougherty birdied the final two holes to claim the clubhouse lead at seven-under after the first round of the Trophee Hassan II.

It was a far from flawless round from the Englishman, as two bogeys set him back, but seven birdies and an eagle handed him the lead despite playing on the more difficult Red Course on the opening day.

"It was a battle and I have been struggling," Dougherty said. "Thomas Bjorn gave me some help on the range which meant the world to me. It is a work in progress. I played some good shots and some slack shots, my putting was good and my short game was great in general. I am pleased with the score but there is improvement.

"I am just trying to hit some good shots and get some confidence. I would have been happy with anything under par so I think seven-under is a good score."

Darren Clarke birdied the 18th hole to put himself in contention, but he was overshadowed by playing partner Francesco Molinari who carded six-under.

The first two days are played over two courses and the lower scoring came on the Blue Course.

Clarke was partnered by his father on the first day of the Pro-Am event and it seemed to be going well early on as he was three-under after 11 holes, but two bogeys checked his momentum and he needed a birdie on the last to keep him in the hunt at three-under.

Molinari put his playing partner in the shade with an excellent 66, the Italian making six birdies in a blemish-free round.

Molinari headed out on to the Blue Course without a prep round, as he said: "I arrived late on Tuesday night so on Wednesday I played 18 holes on the Red Course. My caddie walked the course and did a good job.

"Last week was really good, my first time in Doral and my game was good so I am happy."

An eagle on his 10th hole and birdie down the last took Ireland's Peter Lawrie in to a share of the second at six-under, while SSP Chowrasia will be happy as his score of six-under came on the Red Course. Only two players in the top 12 played their rounds on the Red Course, highlighting its greater difficulty. Fabrizio Zanotti was a late starter who joined the chasing pack at six-under.

Ricardo Gonzelez holed a fine putt on 18 to post six-under. "There was plenty to enjoy today," Gonzalez told Sky Sports. "This blue course is much easier, the red is longer and with narrow fairways so we will see what happens. I am playing well at the moment."

Scotland's Stephen Gallagher carded five birdies and an eagle but two bogeys left him two off the lead, while Sam Little will be rueing the ninth hole as a double-bogey six saw him drop back to two off the lead.

Ignacio Garrido secured a top-20 finish at the Malaysian Open a fortnight ago and carried the form on to Morocco as he sits two shots behind Dougherty at five-under.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.