Two golfers, one ticket to Augusta: Rock, Manassero vying for big Morocco win

How much is a trip to Augusta worth to players? Enough that two known names, Matteo Manassero and Robert Rock, are throwing Hail Mary passes in Morocco in an attempt to get into the field.

Rock and Manassero are playing in Morocco in the Hassan II Golf Trophy tournament at the King of Morocco's exclusive Royal Course in Agadir. If one of them manages to win, he'll amass enough points to get inside the top 50 and thus go from Agadir to Augusta.

Rock currently sits at 57th in the world rankings, and Manassero at 61st. A win would be enough to close the deal, and both players know it.

"Augusta and qualifying for the Masters is the reason why I played in Spain last week and I'm here this week in Morocco," Rock said, according to an AP report. "The only way I can now really get into the Masters is to win this week, and given how well I played in the Andalucia Open I'm quietly confident of doing enough to get myself inside the top 50."

If they can't close the deal this weekend, and this is one heck of a win-or-stay-home proposition, next up is the U.S. Open.

Also in the field in Morocco? None other than John Daly, who deemed himself totally recovered from tendons he injured hitting a tree root in India last month. Daly will also be in Augusta, but as back-of-the-RV merchandise salesman, not player. Alas.