Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari and Bubba Watson, three major champions who have also each racked up an impressive title haul from various professional tours, have added their names to the field at the Open de España presented by Madrid, which takes place at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid from 8 to 11 October.
The presence of Reed, Molinari and Watson provides a spectacular boost to an already stellar field that includes some of the greatest players in world golf, including the likes of Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Nicolai Højgaard, and defending champion Marco Penge, as well as a full Spanish contingent.
The arrival of this trio of champions, who have each forged very different careers, each replete with great triumphs and memorable performances, adds experience, personality and extraordinary competitive knowledge to a tournament that has very much become an international event, attracting many of the biggest stars of world golf every year.
Patrick Reed will again steal much of the limelight in Madrid. The American 2018 Masters champion is by now very familiar with his surroundings at the Open de España, where he has already produced some impressive performances. The Texan has nine PGA Tour wins under his belt and his victory at Augusta has made him one of the biggest names in a generation that has dominated world golf for the past decade.
Alongside him will be Francesco Molinari, one of the biggest names in Italian golf this century. The jewel in the crown of the Turin native’s career came in 2018, when he won The Open at Carnoustie, making him the first Italian golfer to win a major.
Molinari also has two Open de Italia titles under his belt and a number of Ryder cup appearances, forming part of the victorious European teams in 2010, 2012 and 2018, and winning all five of his matches in the latter competition. His precision, experience, and competitive nous could prove a perfect fit for the demanding layout of Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid’s black course.
The third big-name player to be announced is Bubba Watson, one of the most charismatic players in American golf, and the owner of a hugely impressive trophy haul. The left-handed Floridian won the Masters two times, in 2012 and 2014, making him one of his generation’s most successful campaigners at the season’s first major. His power off the tee, incredible creativity, and a swing that is very much his own make Watson one of the most recognisable players on the international stage.
Fans will now have the rare opportunity to see how these three very different games adapt to the historic peculiarities of Javier Arana’s Madrid layout, which will once again provide the stunning backdrop for a world-class shootout.
