Moroccan star Ayoub Lguirati will spearhead a strong local and regional contingent at this week's International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco, as some of the brightest emerging talents from Morocco and the wider MENA region prepare to test themselves against a world-class field at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
The US$ 2 million event, taking place from 11-14 June in Rabat, features Major champions Bubba Watson and Sergio Garcia, LIV Golf stars Abraham Ancer and Branden Grace, defending champion Scott Vincent, and leading players from the Asian Tour.
For Lguirati, the opportunity arrives at the perfect time. One of Morocco's most recognisable professional golfers, he has been a regular presence since the inaugural International Series Morocco in 2022 when he became the only local player to make the cut and finished tied-28th against a stacked international field.
He returns in some of the best form of his career after recording a personal-best finish on the Asian Tour, tying for 13th at last week's am green IGPL Bharath Classic in El Jadida.
"It’s a great feeling and a real privilege; The International Series Morocco is a very special tournament for me," said Lguirati.
"As a Moroccan player competing on the Asian Development Tour, this is exactly the kind of opportunity I am looking for. The field is very strong, the level is high, and playing here at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam always gives me extra motivation."
Lguirati believes the recent run of professional tournaments in Morocco has created meaningful opportunities for local players to develop and compete at a higher level.
"It means a lot; the recent events played in Morocco, in partnership with the Asian Tour and IGPL, have created a strong dynamic for local professional players and across the region,” he added.
"For us, it is very important to have opportunities to compete at home against international fields, gain experience and be exposed to a higher level of competition. Earning a place in International Series Morocco through this pathway shows how valuable these events can be.
"It also reflects the momentum created by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation by bringing tournaments of this level to Morocco and creating the right conditions for Moroccan players to compete, progress and connect with major international circuits."
Joining Lguirati in the field are six fellow Moroccan talents eager to make their mark on home soil.
Among them is El Mehdi Fakori, who made the cut at last week's am green IGPL Bharath Classic and finished two-under-par for the tournament. Fakori also competed at International Series Morocco in 2025 and returns with valuable experience at this level.
Ayoub Id-Omar earns another opportunity after making his International Series debut in 2024. He was Morocco's leading performer at the am green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars, finishing tied-31st at four-under-par.
Amateurs Hugo Trommetter and Youssef El Hali continue their progression after regularly representing Morocco throughout 2024 and 2025, while fellow amateurs Nizar Bourehim and Abderrahmane Fakori will make their International Series debuts. Bourehim arrives as the winner of The Hrnčiar Championship, where Fakori recorded an impressive eighth-place finish.
The regional representation extends beyond Morocco, with Faisal Salhab, Othman Almulla, Khalid Attieh, Shergo Al Kurdi and Saud Al Sharif representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates will be represented by Ahmad Skaik, while Qatar's Daniil Sokolov returns to The International Series stage. Still only 15 years old, Sokolov made headlines when he competed in his home International Series event as a 13-year-old in 2024.
Their participation forms part of a unique three-week professional golf swing in Morocco, beginning on the Asian Development Tour before progressing through last week's Asian Tour event at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, where Sweden's Charlie Lindh claimed victory.
The journey culminates in Rabat, where local and regional hopefuls will have the opportunity to compete alongside some of the biggest names in world golf on the global stage of The International Series.
