Robert Rock immediately ruled out making his Masters debut next fortnight after taking an ‘11’ at the fourth hole during the opening round of the Hassan II Trophy in Agadir.
The present World No. 57 immediately wrote off taking a first drive down Magnolia Lane before eventually ending with a five over par 77.
Rock teed-up in Agadir knowing he needed to finish first or second in the Euro 1.5m event in Morocco to be assured of compete at Augusta National.
However to his enormous credit Rock spoke of his fourth hole demise after his round.
“I think I had a 12 or an 11 when I was first starting playing golf but nothing like this score for a long time in pro career,” he said.
“But it was my main intention in coming here this week to try and qualify for the Masters and hopefully it was to be the end result of a good week.
Robert Rock cuts a lonely figure during the opening round of the Hassan II Trophy. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
“I was looking forward to playing this course but it’s not to be and I have to try and find some way of finding some interest in playing the next few days
“It’s a shame and a disappointment I won’t be going to the Masters just because of what happened at one hole.
“If I had of played badly and shot as standard rate 77 then you deserve to miss your Masters chance
“But so be it and it’s just a game of golf, really.”
DETAILS OF ROCK’S 11 AT THE PAR FOUR , 4TH HOLE
1. Drive out of bounds over the barbed wire security fence
2. Penalty (Plays two provisional balls after first provisional finds bushes)
3. Finds his second resting in an ice plant
4. Fails to move his ball
5. Manages to move the ball two feet
6. Chips onto fairway and had 202-yards to the flag.
7. Lands 4-iron short of the green
8. Chip shot lands 10 foot past the flag.
9, 10 and 11 Three putts for an 11.
With Rock ruling out his chances of competing at Augusta National the last remaining European Tour qualifying spot into the April 5th commencing Masters is in the hands of 18-year old Matteo Manasssero.
Manasseros recorded a three under par 69 to end the opening day of the Euro 1.5m event four strokes behind Ireland’s Damien McGrane.
McGrane kick-started his round with an eagle and then birdied four of his closing four holes in a score of 65.
