Australian Scott Hend recorded a 4-under-par 69 to rally for the Trophy Hassan II title by five shots on Saturday at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco.
It marked the first PGA Tour Champions victory for the 52-year-old grinder, who has spent much of his career on the Asian Tour. Hend’s previous best on the Champions tour was a second-place finish three weeks ago at the Regions Tradition.
“It means the world to me,” Hend said.
Tommy Gainey entered the day with a one-shot edge over Hend and South Africa’s Darren Fichardt, but he fell well off the pace with a 2-over-par 75. He became the first 36-hole leader in the Champions Tour era of this event not to win.
Gainey finished tied with Australia’s Steven Alker for second. Alker tied Jeff Maggert for the round of the day with a 68. Maggert vaulted 19 spots up the board to finish 16th.
South Africa’s Ernie Els and Germany’s Alex Cejka shared fourth at 8 under.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, who won the tournament in 2025, was tied for 46th at 4-over-par. He got off to a shaky start with a 77 in Round 1 and never recovered.
Hend’s victory moves him up to fifth in the Charles Schwab Cup Standings. Alker jumps two spots to fourth and Gainey climbs three spots to eighth.
“To win this tournament in the 50th edition is very prestigious and very special to me,” Hend said.
“To see the trophy is amazing. It’s an amazing trophy. To win out here on the Champions Tour and to win in Morocco, with the start of the week being a little bit cool for us and then heating up as the week went on, was a little bit challenging to stay mentally spot-on out there… It was just a great trophy to win.”
–Field Level Media
