Faycal Serghini will be hoping that his run of near-misses will come to an end this week when he competes in the MENA Golf Tour’s Royal Dar Es Salaam Open in his home country, Morocco.  

The leading Moroccan professional flirted with success in last week’s Royal D’Anfa Open, but agonizingly missed out on sealing an elusive victory when he lost to England’s Joshua White by one shot despite leading by four strokes with four holes to play on the final day.

“It was nice while it lasted, but I am getting very close. I think it is just a matter of time before my time comes. The door will open sooner or later,” said Serghini, who also settled for second place in the 2013 MENA Golf Tour Championship in Al Ain after leading by five shots overnight.

Learning from each of his near misses, Serghini has become the kind of player who can be counted on to contend week-in, week-out.

“I have made some swing changes, which are working. More importantly, I have the self-belief in my game which is the key,” said Serghini, who joins a strong field led by defending champion Zane Scotland, who himself will be making a run at his seventh title on the tour.

Alongside Younes El Hassani, who finished runner-to Scotland last year here, recently-turned pro Ahmed Marjan and Mustapha El Maouas also in the fray, the local challenge will be strong in their home events.

Those who are familiar with conditions advise monumental patience and accuracy off the tee to those looking to tame the course, which is nestled deep in the heart of a 1,000-acre forest of cork trees.

"Anyone scoring under-par on all three days stands a good chance of winning the tournament," said Amine Joudar, who has been playing the course for over 20 years.

“An array of narrow fairways, lush semi-rough, penal rough and tricky greens make for a rugged test of any player's mettle," he added.