Madrid is gearing up for a special week as Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the temple of golf whose immaculate fairways have been graced by some of the greatest players of all time, is all decked out once again and ready to go. The Open de España presented by Madrid is not just a tournament, it’s a celebration of what golf means to a country that learned to love the sport through the magic of Severiano Ballesteros and the elegance of José María Olazábal. Today that torch is carried by Jon Rahm, Sergio García and Angel Hidalgo.
The tournament has gained an extra dimension over the past five years, thanks to one man; Jon Rahm. His participation every year since 2018 has taken the event to a new level and there is no better ambassador than the Spaniard. At this year’s official presentation he made his feelings clear: “To me it’s very easy to sell the tournament. The course design is beautiful, the city is wonderful and the treatment of the players is incredible”. Loud and clear.
The ‘Lion of Barrika’ is back at a place that must feel like home. Here he has triumphed, suffered and captivated. This time around he faces a formidable challenge: surpassing Seve by winning his fourth Open de España. Standing in his way will be the youth and audacity of Angel Hidalgo, the defending champion, who is eager to prove to everyone he is no one-hit wonder. Two ways of understanding golf, two styles, one passion: growing Spanish golf.
This year they will be joined on the fairways by superstars like Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry and Sergio Garcia. The Open de España has undoubtedly now established itself as one of the stops on the DP World Tour to attract the highest calibre of player. Reed, ‘Captain America’; Lowry, the hero of the Ryder Cup; and Garcia, who’s back in Madrid after a six-year absence and determined to recapture former glories.
Joining these well-established stars are members of the new generation, hungry to make their mark. One of them, Joaquin Niemann, who has five international wins to his name, is making his debut in Madrid amid great expectations. Marco Penge, the Englishman who has made a name for himself this year with two wins on the DP World Tour (China and Denmark) and came close to earning himself a place in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team, will also be a man to watch. Then there is the ever-present Spanish contingent. The home players are 21-strong and none of them can be counted out. Among them is a certain David Puig, who last year came close to victory. There is no doubt he has everything it takes to succeed at the highest level. Could this be his year in the Spanish capital?
To top it all off, this year the champion will take home a special prize; a ticket to play at the US Masters and The Open in 2026. It is the icing on the cake for an Open de España that promises to be the most memorable of all time.
The first ball will be struck in earnest on Thursday. Thousands of fans will be following Rahm early in the morning, while in the afternoon Sergio’s group is sure to attract the largest crowds. Whomever they watch though, they will all be dreaming of Spanish glory under the Madrid sun.
