The Open of Spain returns to the European Tour, at the National Center from April 12 to 15
The Open of Spain, one of the tournaments with more history and tradition of the Continent, returns to the European Tour. It will take place from April 12 to 15 and will celebrate its 91st edition at the Madrid National Golf Center, headquarters of the Royal Spanish Federation, with a prize of one and a half million euros.
After his absence in the international calendar of the European Tour in 2017, the tournament returns fulfilling the promise made by Keith Pelley, CEO of the European Tour, during his visit to Madrid last year, when he promised that the Spanish Open would be disputase again in 2018.
Keith Pelley: “I am pleased to announce the return of the Open of Spain, in whose track records are the great names of golf; We are curious to know who will add his to such illustrious list within two months.
“Our sport is based on national championships like the Open of Spain; for this reason, I thank the Royal Spanish Golf Federation and the Madrid Federation for helping us make it a reality. “
The first edition of the Open of Spain was held in 1912 at the Polo GC in Madrid, and was the tournament that opened the first season of the newly created European Tour in 1972, in Pals (Girona), where Antonio Garrido was proclaimed champion. Over the years, four other Spaniards succeeded him in his record: 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 of Catalunya).
Also, they have inscribed their name in the list of winners of the Open of Spain such as Arnold Palmer (1975 La Manga Club), Bernhard Langer (1984 and 1989 Parador El Saler Golf Course), Nick Faldo (1987 RC Las Brisas), Padraig Harrington (1996 Club de Campo Villa de Madrid) and Charl Schwartzel (2007 National Golf Center), and number one in Europe such as Colin Montgomerie (1994 Club de Campo Villa de Madrid) and Robert Karlsson (2001 Parador El Saler Golf Course) .
Schwartzel won in 2007 the second of his eleven titles in the European Tour, four years before donning the “green jacket” in Augusta.
Gonzaga Escauriaza, president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation: “Recovering the Open in Spain is great news for Spanish golf and we are very happy to welcome you to the National Golf Center, the home of all the federated. Our country has always had a relevant position in European golf, not only for the outstanding triumphs of Spanish players, both amateur and professional, but also for being one of the main tourist destinations. For all these reasons, Spain deserves its Open and I am convinced that our professionals will support you with your assistance. I am grateful to Keith Pelley, the Federation of Madrid and all those who have stepped up their shoulders so that one of the most important tournaments in Europe will once again occupy its place in the international calendar. “
Ignacio Guerras, president of the Golf Federation of Madrid:
“The Open of Spain returns to its origins. 43 of the 91 editions of the tournament have been held in Madrid, which hosted the first 17 consecutive. Throughout its history, the Madrid fields have hosted large tournaments that have attracted our city, one of the most attractive and visited in Europe, illustrious as Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, José Mari Olazábal, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Davis Love III or Fred Couples, among others. “
In addition to the Open of Spain in 2007, the National Golf Center has hosted the Madrid Masters in 2009, tournament of the European Tour that ended with the victory of the Englishman Ross McGowan; and in 2006 he hosted the Challenge of Spain that was awarded by Frenchman Adrien Mörk to a very young Martin Kaymer.
With the confirmation of the Spanish Open, the number of qualifying races for the Race to Dubai in 2018 is maintained at 47 after the cancellation of the tournament in the Philippines, which was to be held from 15 to 18 March.
SOURCE: European Tour