MICHAEL HOEY OF Northern Ireland stormed past his compatriot Damien McGrane to win the Hassan Trophy in Morocco on Sunday.
The former British amateur champion was nine shots behind after his opening 74 but he managed to grab his fourth European Tour victory – and second of the current campaign – with two quite brilliant closing rounds of 65.
Hoey is now hoping to make his Ryder Cup debut having pushed McGrane down into second place.
“I’ve not really been thinking about it, but I’m obviously in contention,” he replied when asked about his prospects of taking on the United States.
While the 40-year-old McGrane had found himself leading by three after starting with successive birdies, he was quickly chasing Hoey by two when he managed a two on the short second hole and four successive birdies from the fifth.
Hoey may have bogeyed the tenth but three birdies in his last four holes ensured that he walked away with the prize of £207,737.
