Tournament Preview

The Acciona Open de España (formerly the Spanish Open) is Spain’s national open golf championship. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's (now DP World Tour) schedule since the Tour’s inception in 1972.

Jon Rahm will once again be the main attraction when he returns to the Acciona Open de España. The two-time Major champion will be hoping to add to his impressive résumé in Madrid, after emulating his hero Seve Ballesteros with an emotional third Acciona Open de España title in 2022.

After back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, Rahm produced the lowest score in the history of the Open de España in front of home fans in 2022, charging to a remarkable nine-under 62 in the final round to win by six shots on 25 under par. His dominant display included eight birdies, one bogey and a near-albatross on the par-five 14th. He settled for an eagle on that hole, and with a comfortable cushion birdied his final two holes on the way to matching a feat his idol took his entire career to achieve.

Now he returns to the Spanish capital hoping to successfully defend his title for a second time.

ON FIRE

Jon Rahm’s highlights from his scintillating final round at the 2022 Open de España.

“I’m very happy to be back in Madrid for the Acciona Open de España this October,” said Rahm. “It's always incredible to play in front of your home crowd and I'm excited to defend my title at Club de Campo. To equal Seve’s record of wins at this tournament was truly special to me and I hope to put on a great show for the fans in a few months’ time.”

Held just two weeks after the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, the Acciona Open de España will be staged at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid for a fourth year in a row.

The event received a further boost with Rahm’s fellow Ryder Cup star Justin Rose joining the field for the first time. Upon confirming his appearance in Spain, the Englishman said: “I am really looking forward to competing in Madrid, the tournament has a great reputation and history, so I have been wanting to compete for some time and this year the schedule aligned. With this being such an important month for European golf, I’m excited to have the chance to play in front of the amazing Spanish fans and hopefully be in contention come Sunday afternoon.”

More than 43 000 spectators witnessed Rahm in action over the four days of competition last year and the event is expected to prove a huge attraction to home fans again when he returns to Madrid hoping to take a step closer to the tournament win record of Angel de la Torre, who won five times between 1916 and 1925.

DID YOU KNOW?

Two South Africans have won the national Spanish open.

did you know?

Two South Africans have won the national Spanish open.

Retief Goosen was the first victor, in 2001, when he won the Telefonica Madrid Open after beating England’s Steve Webster on the third playoff hole. Both players had finished on 20 under par but Goosen birdied the third extra hole to claim victory and become the first South African since Dale Hayes in 1975 to capture the European Tour Order of Merit.

Three years later, Richard Sterne, who had turned professional in 2001, finished on 18-under-par 266 to lift the Open de Madrid trophy, his first title on the European Tour. The then 23-year-old needed a strong finish to keep his Tour card for 2005. "The whole year has been tough, especially the last three weeks," said Sterne. "I knew I had to perform. I wanted to give myself a chance going into the back nine, and I did and I pulled it off."

THE VENUE
​​​​​​​Club de Campo Villa de Madrid is a council-run sports club located in the nation’s capital. It was officially unveiled in 1931, and is one of the most well-known clubs in the city. Its wide array of sports facilities include two championship 18-hole golf courses, hockey pitches, tennis and padel courses, horse-riding facilities and swimming pools.

The design and location of the courses make it one of the most prestigious golf facilities in Spain. The Javier-Arana designed black course opened in 1956 and has hosted numerous European Tour events including the Open de España on nine occasions and a further nine Madrid Opens. It is also the venue for a number of Spanish golf federation championships.

Built on either side of the road, the course is renowned for its dramatic terrain and contours, providing a stiff challenge to golfers.

JUAN CARLOS HIDALGO/LUIS TEJIDO/EPA/BACKPAGEPIX/LUKE WALKER/SUNSHINE TOUR