History in the making with two Tours to tee off in the same city

EUROPEAN golf history will be made in Morocco today when the men's and ladies' Tours stage events in the same city simultaneously.

Agadir is the centre of attention for the next four days as the Trophee Hassan II, an event on the European Tour, and the Lalla Meryem Cup, on the Ladies' European Tour, form an historic double-header.

The men's event, which is being split between Golf du Palais Royal and Golf de L'Ocean in Morocco, is a pro-am for the first two days, and Darren Clarke, for one, is keeping it in the family this week.

"I am playing with my dad which will be a lot of fun," said the Ulsterman. "We played together last year and didn't play great but we really enjoyed it and I think he is glad to be back, although he is struggling with a back injury at the moment.

"He wasn't too pleased that he could only manage nine holes today but I managed to get him fitted for a brand-new set of white TaylorMade woods and he is now delighted! He is very excited now."

Welshman Rhys Davies defends the title in a field that includes an on-form Scott Jamieson as well as Ross Bain, Richie Ramsay, Steven O'Hara, Peter Whiteford, George Murray and Lloyd Saltman.

David Drysdale travelled to Morocco, but he has decided to delay his return from a rib muscle injury after it flared up again.

Over at Soleil Golf Course, Vikki Laing, Heather MacRae, Krystle Caithness, Pamela Feggans, Carly Booth, Kylie Walker, Lynn Kenny and Clare Queen are all in the field for the ladies' event and will be looking to get their 2011 campaigns in the northern hemisphere - some of them played in events in Australia and New Zealand earlier in the season - off to good starts.

That is also the aim of Virginie Lagoutte-Clement, the Frenchwoman who won the Ladies' Scottish Open at Archerfield Links last year. She is currently third on the LET's European Solheim Cup team standings, from which four players will earn automatic spots on the 12-woman team for the match in September.

"The Solheim Cup is the main goal this season, but more than just participate, I am working hard to be on top of my game to help the team bring the cup home," said the 32-year-old.