Riveting finish at Morocco Matchplay

The Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo, came to a thrilling climax as Ian Cook fought back from 4-down to claim the coveted singles title

Morocco Matchplay
Ian Cook lines up the winning putt

The Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo, came to a thrilling climax as Ian Cook fought back from 4-down to claim the coveted singles title

The Morocco Matchplay, powered by HowDidiDo, came to a thrilling climax as Ian Cook fought back from 4-down to claim the coveted singles title.

The eight-handicapper from Hull wiped out the deficit by the 17th and claimed the trophy with a sublime up-and-down at the 18th hole.

The 44-year old had won each of his previous four matches over both courses at Royal Dar es Salam - the Blue and Red - and the Tony Jacklin Casablanca.

"I'm still shaking now to be honest. It's unbelievable," said Cook.

"The hardest format in golf is matchplay and just my nerves coming down that last hole proved it to me.

"I've never won anything as prestigious as this - I've done OK before, but not won it. It mean's everything to me - it's brilliant."

Three other titles were also decided at the grand final.

Gary Catt and Eileen McMillan won the mixed title, Jack Crompton and Terry Battersby claimed the open pairs and Steve Adkins and Robert Turner reigned supreme in the seniors pairs.

"It's been a fantastic week. To go out at this time of year to play golf in this weather on great courses, it's been tremendous," said Adkins.

"It's superb here. It's much greener than I imagined. The weather has been fantastic for this time of year and they're really friendly people, very hospitable."

In total, 30 finalists were treated to complimentary return flights to Morocco, six nights' accommodation and five rounds of golf.

They came through local and regional finals during 2014 in a competition open to any golfer who is a member of a HowDidiDo-affiliated club with an officially recognised handicap.

Nick Bonfield
Content Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, commissioning and feature writing. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x