The DP World Tour makes its first visit to Spain on this season's Race to Dubai this week as the Back 9 continues with the Open de España presented by Madrid. Here are your five things to know.
Hidalgo defends
Angel Hidalgo returns to defend his trophy after claiming a maiden DP World Tour title in spectacular style 12 months ago. The home hero went toe-to-toe with three-time winner and two-time Major champion Jon Rahm on the final day, with Rahm's birdie-birdie finish leaving them tied at 14 under par. Both players birdied the first extra hole but after Rahm's chip slipped past second time around, Hidalgo holed a two-foot putt for victory. "Two or three years ago, I was in the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon - without playing, I just come here to Madrid to see the tournament,” said Hidalgo. "To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it's amazing."
Rahm leads home hopes
Hidalgo may be the defending champion but just over a week from helping Europe to a Ryder Cup triumph on American soil, it is Rahm who is likely to attract the biggest galleries. The 2018, 2019 and 2022 champion is looking to surpass the late, great Seve Ballesteros with four wins in the DP World Tour era but he will have plenty of local competition. Fellow former champions Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello tee it up as do Eugenio Chacarra, Alejandro del Rey, Nacho Elvira, Pablo Larrazábal and Jorge Campillo, who have all won in recent seasons. Add in the likes of David Puig and Angel Ayora and the local fans are sure to have plenty to cheer this week.
Lowry back in action after Ryder Cup heroics
After four members of Luke Donald's Ryder Cup winning line-up teed it up last week in Scotland at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Rahm is one of two others returning to action in Spain. Joining the former World Number One is Shane Lowry, who holed the putt that saw Team Europe retain the Ryder Cup trophy at Bethpage Black. The Major winner featured in Spain's national open for the first time in ten years last season, finishing in a tie for 13th as he registered a fourth top-20 finish in his six starts. With the Irishman confirmed to play at the inaugural DP World India Championship too next week, a pair of strong performances could vault him into the top 70 on the season-long standings and thereby qualify for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship - the opening event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
Major invites on offer
As part of a change to qualification criteria, an invitation to the Masters Tournament and exemption into The Open Championship are on offer this week. One spot to the leading player, not already exempt, who makes the cut is up for grabs at each of the two Major Championships. One of six new exemption categories for next April's Masters, the Open de España also marks the first event of The Open Qualifying Series. Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters to players competing in national opens and by doing so to help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions. This creates an outstanding opportunity for players in all parts of the world to qualify and we firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields in both Major Championships.”
Sustainability takes centre stage
The Open de Espana once again continues its theme of sustainable event management with a strong commitment to be conscious of both the environment and the community. Since 2021, the tournament has offset the entirety of its emissions and this will continue in 2025. Furthermore, in consideration of one of the world’s most precious resources, the event has committed to measure its water footprint and give that back, plus 10%, by creating clean water in collaboration with Javea Desalination Plant in Spain. Last year, the event produced 30,000 cubic metres of clean water and since 2021, has planted over 6,000 trees to support reforestation projects in Spain. A reduction in resource use is also at the centre of the event’s environmental strategy, where it commits to a high proportion of locally sourced food, recycling or reusing most event signage, removal of on-site fan parking to encourage public transport use and electric player shuttles, to name but a few of the key initiatives employed.
