Miguel Ángel Jiménez -defender of the title- and Sergio García, number 7 in the World Ranking, have issued a warning to navigators in the run-up to the start: the Spanish Open will be a hellish battle for the title, but both -representing the group of 33 Spanish golfers- are fully motivated to win a tournament flooded with competition.
he motivation to finish Sunday raising the trophy of champion of the Open de España is strongly felt at the RCG El Prat, a generalized feeling that is felt in every corner of the beautiful Barcelona course, a permanent bustle a few hours before the start of a competition more than a hundred years old in history and illusions, which captures the attention of all the fans.
The day before the great battle – described as hellish by Miguel Angel Jimenez, reigning champion – was a ProAm day, a day of contact between the players and the fairways and greens that lead to glory in a long, four-day race, full of intense emotions that all Spanish fans hope will be starred by the aforementioned Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and company, that large list of Spanish players -thirty-three in total- united by an illusion that is embodied in the look of all of them.
There are thirty-three of them, effectively, represented by phrases that show a shared illusion. “I’m going to defend the Spanish Open title tooth and nail. I’m hitting the ball well and I have a good feeling. My goal is to play well and, of course, to win”, words of MAJ expressed with the sympathy and poise that characterize a man who, with all his heart, exhibits forms of a fifteen year old over fifty.
That unwavering motivation is what encourages him to recognize that “at RCG El Prat I feel very comfortable, it is a magnificent course, although the candidates for the title are very numerous, since many factors are involved”.
Among them is, on his own merits, another of the great beacons of all Spaniards, Sergio Garcia, number 7 in the World Ranking -that’s nothing-, recently arrived with an elusive victory at the last moment in The Players -the fifth Major- under his arm.
“I come with great enthusiasm, confident about last week’s result. The Open de España is very special for me, especially this one, which is held at the RCG El Prat, where I am an honorary member. It is an extra motivation that I hope will pay off”, said the player from Castellón, an icon in Spanish golf today, with serene conviction.
“I hope I can renew the sensations of the Spanish Open I won at El Cortijo in 2002. In any case, my numbers and my performance are there for everyone to see, and I hope they are valued as they should be because they speak of consistency. Few players get to the top and stay there for so long”, reasoned Sergio Garcia with that characteristic gleam in his eyes of those who long to win, a generalized feeling throughout the Spanish Armada, thirty-three eyes in search of glory.
AROUND THE GREEN
Miguel Ángel Jiménez: Why aren’t we going to bring the Ryder?
Miguel Ángel Jiménez, the defending champion, held a press conference to comment on his impressions of the Open de España and current golf news. Among these hot topics, the choice of the venue for the 2022 Ryder Cup, to which the Costa Brava-Barcelona bid is aspiring. “Why aren’t we going to win? We have to be serious, work well and do it hard. We have a great course and the support of institutions, players and everyone. Of course we can win!” he said.
Sergio García and that memory with Rafael Cabrera-Bello
Sergio Garcia’s visit to the press conference left no one indifferent. Among many other things, he recounted his experience at the 2002 Spanish Open, when he won at El Cortijo. “I played the last round with Emanuele Canonica and a 17-year-old kid, Rafael Cabrera-Bello. Great memories.”
A ProAm to enjoy
Heat, yes; fun, more. This sums up the ProAm of the Open de España held this Wednesday on the greens of the Real Club de Golf El Prat, with the presence, among others, of former soccer player and coach Johan Cruyff, who shared a game with Matteo Manassero, or the president of Real Sociedad, Jokin Aperribay, who played with another player from San Sebastian, José María Olazábal.
Reception in an unbeatable setting
The fantastic Mas Bonviar farmhouse in La Mola, next to the RCG El Prat, was the place chosen for the official reception for all those attending the event, from sponsors to journalists, as well as other agents involved in this Open de España 2015.
Javier Colomo, to continue making history
Javier Colomo from Cáceres starred last week, in Mauricio, an incredible hole in 1 in the par of the 18th hole that allowed him to overcome the cut in a big way. Therefore, now comes to the RCG El Prat full of enthusiasm and motivation.
Leave a Reply