Murphy out to break new ground

After being laid-up in bed earlier this week with back spasms, Mark Murphy is now boldly targeting success in this week’s Hassan II Trophy in Agadir.

Murphy — celebrating his 34th birthday today, tees off in the very last group on the ultra-exclusive King of Morocco owned Royal course within the Palace grounds in the southern Moroccan city.

And the Waterville-born golfer has paid a £2,000 ‘Affiliate Membership’ fee that means any money he earns in the €1.5m event counts towards his Euro Tour card.