The Spanish Open, one of the most historic and traditional tournaments on the continent, returns to the European Tour. It will take place from April 12 to 15 and will celebrate its 91st edition at the Centro Nacional de Golf in Madrid, headquarters of the Royal Spanish Federation, with a prize money of one and a half million euros.
After its absence from the European Tour’s international calendar in 2017, the tournament returns thus fulfilling the promise made by Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour, during his visit to Madrid last year, when he pledged that the Open de España would be contested again in 2018.
Keith Pelley: “I am delighted to announce the return of the Open de España, which boasts some of the biggest names in golf, and we are curious to know who will add theirs to this illustrious list in two months’ time.
“Our sport is based on national championships such as the Open de España; therefore, I thank the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and the Madrid Federation for helping us make it happen.”
The first edition of the Spanish Open was played in 1912 at the Polo GC in Madrid, and it was the tournament that inaugurated the first season of the recently created European Tour in 1972, in Pals (Girona), where Antonio Garrido was proclaimed champion. Over the years, it was followed by four other Spaniards: Seve Ballesteros (1981 El Prat, 1985 Vallromanes, 1995 Club de Campo Villa de Madrid), Sergio García (2002 El Cortijo), Álvaro Quirós (2010 RCG Sevilla) and Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2014 PGA de Catalunya).
Likewise, major winners such as Arnold Palmer (1975 La Manga Club), Bernhard Langer (1984 and 1989 Campo de Golf Parador El Saler), Nick Faldo (1987 RC Las Brisas), Padraig Harrington (1996 Club de Campo Villa de Madrid) and Charl Schwartzel (2007 Centro Nacional de Golf), and European number ones such as Colin Montgomerie (1994 Club de Campo Villa de Madrid) and Robert Karlsson (2001 Campo de Golf Parador El Saler) have inscribed their names on the list of winners of the Spanish Open.
Schwartzel won the second of his eleven European Tour titles in 2007, four years before donning the green jacket at Augusta.
For Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, “recovering the Open de España is great news for Spanish golf and we are delighted to welcome it to the National Golf Center, the home of all members of the federation. Our country has always had a relevant position in European golf, not only for being one of the main tourist destinations but also for the outstanding triumphs of Spanish players, both at amateur and professional level. For all these reasons, Spain deserves its Open and I am convinced that our professionals will support it with their attendance. I would like to thank Keith Pelley, the Madrid Federation and all those who have worked so that one of the most important tournaments in Europe can once again take its place in the international calendar”.
Ignacio Guerras, president of the Madrid Golf Federation: “The Open de España returns to its origins. 43 of the 91 editions of the tournament have been held in Madrid, which hosted the first 17 in a row. Throughout its history, Madrid’s courses have hosted major tournaments that have attracted to our city, one of the most attractive and visited in Europe, illustrious players such as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, José Mari Olazábal, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Davis Love III and Fred Couples, among others.
In addition to the Spanish Open in 2007, the National Golf Center has hosted the Madrid Masters in 2009, a European Tour tournament that ended with the victory of the Englishman Ross McGowan; and in 2006 it hosted the Spanish Challenge, which was won by the Frenchman Adrien Mörk against a very young Martin Kaymer.
With the confirmation of the Spanish Open, the number of qualifying events for the 2018 Race to Dubai remains at 47 following the cancellation of the Philippines tournament, which was to be held from March 15-18.
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