The world of golf is a curious place; the more difficult a course setup, the more praise it seems to elicit from the players. In other words, if they have to grind for the 4 or 5 it takes to play18 holes, they come through the ordeal with more respect for the game. This is a feeling the pros seem to enjoy.
All that golfers ask is that a course is fair – difficult, but fair. Which is precisely what the players have found this week at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, where the layout is notably tougher than in previous years. Specifically, the greens are firmer and the rough is juicier. It’s a recipe that requires extreme accuracy both from the tee and into the green.
One the first players to heap praise on the Black Course was Sergio Garcia, who hasn’t played here since 2019 and therefore is more aware of the changes. “I’ve never seen this course looking so good. The weather is helping, but the course is very well maintained. The most difficult thing for us is the inconsistencies in the greens, because sometimes the bounce is hard and sometimes it’s soft. But it’s the same for everyone and everything else is perfect. It’s fitting for a tournament that has grown so much over these years and it’s a pleasure to see so many fans following this great tournament”.
Another player in the know is Rafa Cabrera-Bello, champion in Madrid in 2021. The Spaniard proclaimed: “The fairways are much better and more defined. The greens are better than ever. The irregular bounces are because of the type of grass so there’s nothing you can do about that. In fact, we should congratulate the greenkeepers for the decision to cut the rough a few days before to make it more consistent while still being very difficult, because if you miss the fairway it’s very difficult to be accurate. It’s the best possible course setup to ensure that the winner on Sunday is the player that has played best and deserves it the most. As players we always ask for that; for good golf to be rewarded and for mediocre play to be punished”.
Another player with vast experience at this tournament is Nacho Elvira, who spoke about the wind this week: “The course is already difficult, but if you add the gusty wind you get on many mornings here in Madrid, it’s not at all easy. I say it every year at this course, there is a 64 or 65 out there, but you have to be very dialled in with your driver”.
The Black Course at Club de Campo is a very demanding prospect, which means the fans are rewarded with guaranteed entertainment for the rest of the tournament.
