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The Ryder Cup in Paris has crept into the start of the Andaluc\u00eda Valderrama Masters thanks to two of its protagonists: Sergio Garc\u00eda, pillar of the European team and Thomas Bj\u00f8rn, the captain. Both are competing this week at Valderrama with the very fresh memory of the spectacular victory achieved just two weeks ago. The emotions experienced in the French capital play in Sergio\u2019s favor to revalidate the victory in the tournament that has the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Andalusian Government. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Sergio assures that it was never a priority to beat the Ryder Cup points record, \u201cbut it is incredible to be at the top of a list where there are so many great players. It means a lot and I hope everyone realizes how difficult it is. I\u2019m very proud.<\/i><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are many Spaniards with possibilities of being in the Ryder in the future. Jorge Campillo has had options this year, Nacho Elvira has very good potential, obviously Adri\u00e1n Otaegui, and more players will come out. I think the mentality, the fury and intensity that the Spaniards put into it is a plus, so if you can get two or three in the team it\u2019s always nice.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Valderrama is one of Sergio Garcia\u2019s favorite courses where his best game usually comes to the fore. He was seventh in the 1999 World Golf Championship American Express and fifth the following year, seventh in the 2002 and 2003 Volvo Masters, second in three consecutive editions from 2004 to 2006, and fourth in the 2008 Volvo Masters; eleventh in the inaugural edition of the Andalucia Masters in 2010, winner in 2011 and 2017, and third in the 2016 Open de Espa\u00f1a. <\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the latest changes made by the Club are a great success, in his opinion. \u201cOn the 10th there are a couple of new flags at the beginning of the green, on the 11th there is more room to pull two and a couple of very good flags on the left and on the front right. I also like the entrances on 12, 15 and 16. On 17, the green is a little bigger at the back. The course is spectacular, the greens are rolling at a tremendous speed and quality. Valderrama should be very proud of the work that has been done.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always nice to come, I\u2019m looking forward to continuing the path of the last month and a half and see if we give ourselves a chance to defend the title.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n European Ryder Cup team captain Thomas Bj\u00f8rn<\/b> is also delighted to return to Valderrama. He made his playing debut here in the 1997 Ryder Cup. \u201cI will never forget the first time I walked into the team room, because of who was there: Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam, Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Olaz\u00e1bal\u2026 and Seve as captain. I think at that moment my career started to take off in another direction and being part of that team, being so young, was very special\u201d. <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n His dedication to the captaincy of the European team has prevented him from preparing for the competition in recent months, but he had good reasons to come: \u201cI wanted to support Sergio Garcia and his Foundation, for all that it means and has done for golf. What happened a few weeks ago at the Ryder Cup was unique. He showed his qualities and what that competition means to him\u201d.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was looking forward to competing again and the best place to do it is Valderrama. It\u2019s very demanding, but it\u2019s one of those courses that, if you have the opportunity to play it, you have to take advantage of it. To be here is a real privilege\u201d.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n The children of the CRA Los Olivos de Brea del Tajo challenge Sergio<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n A group of 13 students from CRA Los Olivos de Brea del Tajo in Madrid visited the Andaluc\u00eda Valderrama Masters today and had the opportunity to attend Sergio Garc\u00eda\u2019s press conference. After the questions from the journalists, the children took a picture with their idol and challenged him to come to their school for a putting competition. <\/span><\/p>\n In the courtyard of this school located in a humble Madrid town of just 560 inhabitants, a putting green was inaugurated last year, financed by the Madrid Golf Federation, the City Council and the Community of Madrid. It was the result of a project that was born in 2015, when the children became interested in golf thanks to a promotional campaign by the federation that coincided with the center\u2019s participation in the Desing for Change program. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Part of that program was to do something to improve the environment and the children came up with the idea of building a putting green in the schoolyard.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>The children have also asked Sergio if he prefers the Masters or the Ryder victory and he has explained that this is like when they ask them if they love \u201cmommy or daddy more\u201d<\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Matches <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The competition of the Andaluc\u00eda Valderrama Masters starts at 8:45 am. Sergio Garcia tees off on the 10th tee at 9.05 a.m. with Lee Westwood and Jorge Campillo. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/andaluciagolf.holaincompany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/images_Actual2018_AVMm7FhehpcQ.jpeg.jpg\")
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