Trophee Hassan II

Canizares leads Brit Benson by one in Morocco

ESPN staff

March 13, 2014

Alejandro Canizares suffered only one bogey during his opening round in Morocco © Getty Images

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Alejandro Canizares carded a superb 10-under 62 to lead the Trophee Hassan II after the opening round at Morocco's Golf du Palais Royal.

Canizares made 11 birdies and dropped only a single shot in the tough conditions, but England's Seve Benson is just one stroke behind on nine-under following his flawless round of 63.

"It was one of those days for me, my swing felt great, I started putting well and the putts went in," Canizares told EuropeanTour.com. "It was a lot of fun, when golf is like this it's easy.

"After today the confidence is great but it wasn't there for the last month. After Dubai I started losing a little bit of form but this game is up and down so you can't expect the best all the time. I was lucky that after a couple of sessions with my coach and a putting session with Phil Kenyon this week it's started getting a lot easier so I am very happy to perform well this week.

"I think I played one of the best rounds I've played. I missed a couple of drives and from the fairway I missed one shot that cost me a bogey, but that was about it I think."

Conor Arendell and Magnus A Carlsson are both tied for third following their seven-under rounds of 65, while English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan are joined by Marc Warren a further shot back on six-under.

Fellow Scot Peter Whiteford is five-under after his opening 18 holes, with Welsh pair Rhys Davies and Stephen Dodd six shots off the lead on four-under-par.

Trophee Hassan II Leaderboard: