Monday has arrived. The week of the Open de España presented by Madrid. Are we about to witness the best Spanish Open of all time? At a tournament with over a century of history behind it, we must be careful with our comparisons. Some of the greatest legends of the sport have graced the tournament with their presence, but just a glimpse of the names in the field this week at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid is enough to see that this year is special.
Jon Rahm will again steal much of the limelight, but plenty of other players will enjoy their fair share of it too. The Spaniard will be joined by Sergio García, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg, Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Francesco Molinari, Nicolai Højgaard, and defending champion, Marco Penge, among others. Major champions, Ryder Cup heroes, world number ones and some of best players on the planet all together for four days in Madrid.
The stats speak volumes of the quality of this week’s field. These eleven players have accumulated nine majors and 41 Ryder Cup appearances. Seven have won a major, with five green jackets, two US Opens and two Open Championships between them. Their dazzling list of achievements also includes an Olympic gold medal, world number one spots and victories on both sides of the Atlantic.
Perhaps even more attractive is the variety on display in this year’s field; well-established champions, players who have produced some of the greatest moments in the past two decades of golf, and a new generation that is unafraid to step up to the mark. These players have very different backgrounds and careers, but one thing unites them; they all have what it takes to shine in the Spanish capital.
On top of all this, the Spanish contingent is looking stronger than ever. Eugenio Chacarra, Ángel Hidalgo, David Puig, Ángel Ayora, Josele Ballester, Pablo Larrazábal and brothers Nacho and Manuel Elvira, among many others, mean the home fans will have plenty to enjoy besides Rahm and García.
The best Open de España of all time? It’s never easy to compare different eras, but there is no doubt that Spain has rarely seen in the same week so many great champions, so much talent, and so many reasons to watch every single second.
