Azahara Muñoz, the only Spaniard to have won the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España trophy, will try to win the title for the third time from November 26 to 29 at the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, scene of her last victory in an individual championship. The golfer from San Pedro de Alcántara confirms that she will head the spectacular line-up of the tournament, the last round of the Race to Costa del Sol 2020 and the finishing touch to the Ladies European Tour calendar.
Muñoz returns to her home, a Real Club de Golf Guadalmina that will be decorated to receive her honorary member and that will offer the impeccable design of its south course to host a tournament that the Spaniard has already won twice.
“Guadalmina is my home and I always love to come back. As this year things are very complicated, I haven’t been back since December, so this year I want to come back twice as much to see my family and to play the Spanish Open. Costa del Sol is doing a huge job with the Race to Costa del Sol and that this year the tournament is in Guadalmina makes me twice as excited,” explains the Spanish golfer, who still has the 2017 edition very vivid in her memory. “It was a very special tournament, with a huge crowd and almost all the members came to cheer me on. I have been a member of Guadalmina since I was nine years old and they have known me since I was a little girl, and winning there in front of them and all the course workers was super special.”
The goal, therefore, is to overtake Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Laura Davies and Anne Van Dam, who like Azahara Muñoz (winner in 2016 and 2017) have achieved two victories in the tournament, and get the third entorchado in the best possible scenario.
“Of course I’m thinking about the three-peat and I’d be thrilled to win. Besides, that was the last victory I had apart from the Solheim Cup [de 2019]. Obviously, you like to win any tournament, but to be able to win the Spanish Open again and on top of that at home… I would be fooling you if I told you that it hasn’t crossed my mind. That’s the goal: to train hard for the remaining weeks and see if that week is good for me because I would love to defend the title.
The sampedreña is aware of the difficulties that have arisen this year and therefore also wanted to support the Ladies European Tour and sponsors (led by Andalusia and Costa del Sol) with their presence in the only test of the circuit to be held this year in our country. In addition, Azahara Muñoz is the fourth classified in the order of merit, the Race to Costa del Sol, and will strive to gain ground and make it difficult for her rivals.
“For me it’s a little more complicated because I play less on the circuit, and the other girls have had more options. Also, Emily Pedersen is playing great and is the clear leader, but you never know. Even if I have a good Spanish Open, winning would be impossible, but being in the top three would be a good goal with the few tournaments I’ve been able to play.”
The Spaniard will miss the large crowds that always gather at the Andalusian courses that host women’s professional events, and especially those of her home club, but she is clear that they will be following her steps on the other side of the TV during the four days and she wants to offer them her best version.
“I always try to give my best, but when you have so many people supporting you, I don’t know why, you get that extra. This year has been complicated and it’s hard for me, because I’m one of those players who comes up when there’s a crowd. The other day I was talking about it with my husband: I have four tournaments left this season and that’s all there is. It’s the same for everyone and I have to make the best of me anyway.
In fact, one of her best memories related to public support takes her to the 18th hole at Guadalmina, in her second victory at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España in 2017.
“Saturday afternoon, at the end of the third round, I remember I hit a really good second shot on 18 and left it three or four yards for eagle. I remember I holed that putt and people went crazy. My cousins, who don’t even play golf, were there and they said to me: “Azahara, my hair stood on end! I’ll keep that moment, because it was the last putt of Saturday and it filled me with energy for Sunday.”
That atmosphere can be experienced again in 2023 at the Solheim Cup to be held at Finca Cortesín, a dream come true for Azahara Muñoz who has played this competition four times (with three European victories) since 2011.
“It’s incredible. It’s my favorite tournament, I’ve been lucky enough to play four editions and it’s a very special tournament. The Costa del Sol is an incredible destination, Finca Cortesin is a great course and I think it’s going to be a blast. When I talk to people and tell them that I am from Marbella, everyone tells me that they have been or want to be there. The date is great for the weather to be very good, I know that Deporte & Business is going to do an incredible job and I’m really looking forward to it. I know it’s three years away, but it would be my dream: to play the Solheim Cup again and to do it at home. It would be spectacular.
The news of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España can be followed on the website openfemenino.comwebsite, the Twitter account @OpenfemeninoInstagram account @spanishopen and the Facebook page @openfemenino.
Title Sponsors:
Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local de la Junta de Andalucía, Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol, Acosol – Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Occidental.
Main sponsors:
Marbella Town Hall and Benahavís Town Hall.
Institutional sponsors:
Real Federación Española de Golf, Real Federación Andaluza de Golf, Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, Consejo Superior de Deportes and Universo Mujer.
Collaborating companies:
ARQUIMEA Medical, Eversheds Sutherland Nicea, Kaudal, Kyocera, PING, Solán de Cabras and Audi Safamotor.
Promoter:
Sports & Business
About the Department of Tourism of the Andalusian Regional Government
Andalusia is one of the most complete tourist destinations in the world, with a diverse and quality offer that satisfies foreign and domestic tourists alike. In addition, Andalusia is an international reference in golf tourism. Its unbeatable climate allows the practice of this sport during all months of the year in more than a hundred golf courses located in privileged areas, with landscapes of great beauty or near
to paradisiacal beaches.
About Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol
Its more than 70 golf courses have made the province of Malaga and the Costa del Sol the first destination in Europe as far as golf is concerned, hence it is known as the Costa del Golf. Few places like the Costa del Sol gather in the same destination so many attractions, because the province not only offers a magnificent infrastructure for the practice of this sport, but also a privileged climate that allows the game throughout the year.
About Acosol
Acosol is the public company belonging to the Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Occidental that manages the integral water cycle, within its geographical scope, as a vital and essential service for the citizens, working to guarantee supply and sanitation. Acosol is committed to the environment, collecting, transporting, treating and regenerating wastewater, thus contributing to the preservation of water resources and leading initiatives at provincial, regional and national level. In addition, Acosol stands out for its work in the irrigation of golf courses through the use of recycled water.
About Real Club de Golf Guadalmina
With more than 60 years of history, Guadalmina is one of the flagship clubs of the Costa del Sol and, by extension, of Andalusia and Spain. A breeding ground for great champions, the club stands out for its magnificent facilities, its great social life and the constant renewal of its competition teams, which have produced players of the stature of Azahara Muñoz, Noemí Jiménez, Laura Gómez and Laura Cabanillas. With two 18-hole courses (among which is the south course, designed by Javier Arana, which will host the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España) and an attractive Pitch & Putt, the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina is a regular venue for highly competitive amateur tournaments and hosted in September 2017 the Open de España Femenino.
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