• Dale Hayes of South Africa and the Open de España are well linked in the history of The European Tour. As an 18 year old in 1971, playing in his first European Tour event he became the youngest winner in European Tour history – aged 18 and 290 days. Hayes also became the first player to win on his European Tour debut.
• Low scoring was the order of the week in 2003 Open de España at the Golf Costa Adeje Tenerife with the lowest 36 hole cut in European Tour history at 138 (-6). This record was since equalled at the 2005 TCL Classic.
• Another piece of history was created in 2003. After 54 holes Paul Casey, eventual winner, Kenneth Ferrie, Søren Hansen, Simon Khan, Santiago Luna and Pablo Martin were all tied on 197 (-19). It was the first time that six players had shared the lead going into the final day’s play.
• Defending champion, Charl Schwartzel is attempting to become the first player to make a successful defence of the title since Max Faulkner in 1952-53.
• The Real Club de Golf de Sevilla is staging the Open de España for the first time. Since the first playing in 1912, this will be the 29th different course used to stage the Open de España.
