The DP World Tour remains in Spain for a second consecutive week as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters begins a new era at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. Here are your five things to know.
Historic venue scene of amateur success stories
While Real Club de Golf Sotogrande may be hosting a DP World Tour event for the first time this week, it is by no means an unfamiliar venue to some of the biggest names in European golf.
For more than 50 years, it has hosted the European Nations Championship - Sotogrande Cup, a prestigious tournament in Europe for leading amateur golfers.
Nine of the 12 players who formed part of Team Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team in Italy earlier this month have participated in the event, which boasts both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry as past champions.
Fellow past event winners include Guido Migliozzi, Todd Clements, Francesco Molinari and Marcel Siem, who all feature in the field this week, alongside past runners-up Romain Langasque, Lukas Nemecz and Carlos Pigem.
Otaegui leads Spanish charge as he defends title on home soil
Adrian Otaegui secured his fourth DP World Tour title by posting a closing 68 during last year's tournament to win by six shots.
His final score of 19 under set the new 72-hole tournament record in Andalucia, beating the previous best by seven shots, and saw him become the 200th Spanish player to win on Tour.
Otaegui is joined by a host of home hopes looking to lift the trophy, with fellow countrymen Pablo Larrazábal and Jorge Campillo having won three titles between them so far this season.
Rafa Cabrera Bello, Adri Arnaus and Angel Hidalgo, who finished fourth 12 months ago to secure his DP World Tour card, will also have the support of the home crowds this week.
US pair set for first Spanish adventure
The tournament’s ninth edition features another strong international field, highlighted by the involvement of American duo Wyndham Clark and Matt Kuchar – both playing for the first time in Spain.
Clark has enjoyed a breakthrough year, winning his first PGA TOUR title at the Wells Fargo Championship a month before claiming his maiden Major Championship at the U.S. Open.
Those performances helped the 29-year-old finish third in the FedEx Cup Playoffs ahead of making his first Ryder Cup appearance at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
He is joined in southern Spain by countryman Kuchar, a nine-time PGA Tour winner who was a member of the victorious U.S. Team in the most recent of his four Ryder Cup appearances in 2016.
Race to Dubai…
This week’s winner will earn 710 points in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, as players jostle for position to be among the top 50 that feature at next month’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Rory McIlroy holds a commanding lead at the top of the season-long standings, having won two Rolex Series events in 2023, and looks set to win the Harry Vardon Trophy for a fifth time.
However, opportunity knocks for both Ryan Fox and Adrian Meronk, currently occupying third and fourth in the standings, to enjoy another strong week in what have already been successful campaigns.
Rolex Series winner Victor Perez, perennial top-10 performer Alexander Björk and Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre are also in the top on the Race to Dubai and will be looking to build momentum as the campaign draws towards a close.
On the outside looking in are a plethora of 2023 DP World Tour winners, including Joburg Open winner Dan Bradbury (51st), Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed winner Dale Whitnell (52nd), Soudal Open winner Simon Forsström (53rd) and Jonsson Workwear Open winner Nick Bachem (57th), all of who are competing this week.
Pressure time for those battling for their card
This week’s stop in Spain is also set to be an emotional roller coaster for many, acting as the penultimate opportunity for players to win points to earn their playing privileges for next season.
As things stand, the top 116 in the Race to Dubai are in line to retain their DP World Tour membership, with just one more ‘regular’ event on the schedule at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters next week.
Over the last couple of weeks, Marcus Armitage, Richard Mansell and Fabrizio Zanotti have produced big performances to keep their cards and others will be hoping for similar fortunes.
European Challenge Tour graduate Deon Germishuys along with DP World Tour winners Alexander Levy and Wang Jeunghun are among those in need of a strong week to force their way on the right side of the line.
