El Mehdi Fakori will shoulder Moroccan hopes into the final round of International Series Morocco presented by Visit Morocco after a composed third-round 70 lifted him to five-under-par at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
The 26-year-old is the only Moroccan player to make the weekend, ensuring home support will have a local focus heading into Sunday as two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson leads the field at 15-under after 54 holes.
Fakori opened his week with rounds of 74 and 70 before producing his best golf on Saturday, carding five birdies in an assured performance that included a crucial gain on the demanding 17th hole. His steady progression through the tournament has given Moroccan fans a home-grown storyline to follow into the final day.
His strong showing also caps a progressive run through the recent Morocco swing. Fakori narrowly missed the cut at the Asian Development Tour’s am green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort after rounds of 74 and 71, before responding the following week with a made cut at the Asian Tour’s am green IGPL Bharath Classic, finishing two-under-par.
Reflecting on his week, Fakori expressed pride in representing his country on one of the game’s biggest stages.
“It’s a real honour to be competing this week, especially alongside Major champions like Bubba Watson,” he said. “I’m so proud to be representing Morocco in the best possible way, and there’s no better feeling than playing in your home country, surrounded by your family and the people you love.”
“Today was tough at the start, but I stayed strategic and focused, and I finished three-under-par for round three.”
Fakori will head into Sunday’s final round aiming to close out a strong week for the local contingent, with his performance ensuring Moroccan representation remains firmly in focus as the tournament reaches a climax.
