2023-10-15 ACCIONA OPEN ESPAÑA 2023 CLUB DE CAMPO VILLA DE MADRID ( SPAIN ) PHOTO: ALBERTO NEVADO / ACCIONA OPEN DE ESPAÑA
Rahm bids for history
Currently Spain’s best player, and one of the best three golfers in the world has a date with history. Rahm arrives in Madrid with one goal: to surpass Severiano Ballesteros. Going one better than his hero’s three titles has been near the top of the Barrika native’s to-do list ever since he collected his last title in the Spanish capital in 2022. His commitment, duty and responsibility to Spanish golf are unquestionable. Two weeks ago, he left no room for doubt: “I don’t go to the Open de España for the glory, I go because it’s my obligation to Spanish golf”. He is the biggest draw at the tournament, the spotlight will be on him, and he rarely fails to deliver. Rahm is, without a doubt, the biggest reason to come and watch the ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid.
An English twosome
Two of England’s best golfers are coming to Madrid: Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrell Hatton. They were born in the same year (1991), in the same country, and they have dedicated their lives to the same profession, but that is where the similarities end. Fleetwood is elegance personified, an easy-going man who does not let his emotions get the better of him. It is practically impossible to see him get angry on the golf course; he plays with a smile on his face. On the other end of the spectrum is Hatton, a melting pot of emotions, a man whose blood will boil over with the mere changing of the wind. It is fair to say he has a temper. Two years ago, the DP World Tour dedicated a 10-minute video to him entitled ‘The Angry Golfer’. The video begins with him admitting he has a problem in a therapy group. Watching him play live will surely be one of the biggest attractions this year.
A Champion Golfer of the Year and a green jacket in Madrid
Two debutants in Madrid from the very top drawer: Shane Lowry and Patrick Reed. Two major champions who will grace this year’s majestic field. Two of the best proponents of the short-game in professional golf will make this year’s event at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid a must-see. Witnessing either of them display their prowess around the greens is a treat for the senses. The Irishman won The Open in 2019, while the Texan donned the most prestigious jacket in golf in 2018. The quality these two giants bring to the field is undeniable. Strong candidates to the throne on Sunday.
The Spanish Armada, could this be their year?
Jon Rahm is not on his own. 23 other Spaniards will be vying to win the toughest edition of their home event. As they do every year, the fans will make a difference. In addition to the familiar faces of Larrazabal, Campillo, Arnaus, Otaegui and Cabrera-Bello, among others, home fans will be able to cheer on a special guest this year: Josele Ballester, the recently crowned US Amateur champion. It is the first time in history a Spaniard has won the world’s most prestigious amateur event. He arrives in Madrid in the form of his life and ready to introduce himself to the Spanish fans. On Sunday he won his first college tournament at Olympia Fields. Other names to watch out for will be Olympian David Puig, who represented Spain alongside Jon Rahm in Paris, and a number of players who really are playing at home; Madrid natives Sebas García, Alejandro del Rey and Eugenio López-Chacarra, among others, will have the extra motivation that comes with competing in their city of birth.
Under-Par Emissions
The ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid is once again demonstrating its commitment to the environment this year. The tournament aspires to be a global leader in sustainability and, every year, its goal is drawing closer. Innovations this season include the 100% reuse of structures, a fleet of hybrid vehicles to transport players, offsetting the hydric footprint and the implementation of the Miyawaki Method for creating forests. This idea consists of the creation of urban forests with a large variety of native plants with various layers and dense planting. The technique was specifically conceived for the regeneration of poor soil.
