This morning’s meeting between Spain’s finest golfer and the defending champion of the Open de España was a special occasion. Jon Rahm and Ángel Hidalgo officially launched a new edition of the country’s most prestigious tournament, bringing excitement and anticipation to their home fans.
At the tournament’s official presentation, held outside the magnificent City Hall, there was an atmosphere of both rivalry and mutual respect. Rahm and Hidalgo’s camaraderie extends beyond mere formalities; they could be seen the previous evening on the driving range at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, sharing jokes and discussing the Ryder Cup.
Hidalgo’s admiration for Rahm is evident; the Marbella native did not hesitate to call the Basque “the most relevant Spanish golfer since Seve Ballesteros”. Hidalgo is well aware that the fact his victory at the Open de España 2024 came in a playoff against his fellow Spaniard adds a unique dimension to his only DP World Tour title thus far. “Winning against him, and at home, makes my triumph even more special”, he reflected.
Despite their contrasting styles both on and off the golf course, the two players are united by their passion for the game. When asked about the characteristics of this week’s layout, both gave candid responses: Club de Campo is a little short by today’s standards, with nearly every competitor capable of carrying the ball 300 yards. Yet, the Javier Arana design plays to their respective strengths – Rahm can dominate the course with power, while Hidalgo appreciates the fact that, as someone who is not the longest off the tee, it presents less of a challenge than the longer American layouts.
When questioned about the future of Spanish golf on an institutional level leading up to 2031, when Catalonia will host the Ryder Cup at Camiral, their answers diverged. Hidalgo, ever modest, admitted, “Ask me about football, tennis or golf – all I do is put a ball down and try to hit it in the right direction,” joking about his limited knowledge of the economic and organisational aspects of the sport. Rahm, in contrast, was more forthcoming with his appeal: “When I started watching golf on TV there were seven or eight European circuit events in Spain. Today, we have just one.” It was a passionate plea for Spain to reclaim its former prominence in international golf. Rahm concluded with a heartfelt endorsement of the Madrid tournament, praising the Open de España for its superb food, outstanding weather, and the charm of Madrid, “possibly one of the most beautiful cities in the world”.
Rahm and Hidalgo – two distinct personalities united by a shared ambition; to win and to continue growing the sport of golf in Spain. As Thursday morning approaches, both will be focused on chasing victory and furthering their legacy, driven by a hunger to keep making history.
