Raphaël Jacquelin will begin his bid to become the first player to successfully defend the Open de España since 1953 alongside home favourite and World Number Seven Sergio Garcia and Abu Dhabi Champion Pablo Larrazábal when play begins in Girona on Thursday.
With PGA Catalunya Resort, a European Tour Destination, all set to host its third Open de España – the 89th edition of the historic tournament – this week, Frenchman Jacquelin will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Max Faulkner, who last claimed back to back Spanish Open championships from 1952-53.
No player has successfully defended the championship since it became part of The European Tour International Schedule in 1972.
Jacquelin will play the first two rounds alongside 2014 European Tour winner Larrazabal and Garcia (0820), who arrives in northern Spain in fine fettle and fresh off the back of a third place finish at the US PGA Tour’s Players Championship.
Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who 15 years ago won the first big event staged at PGA Catalunya after its inauguration – the Subaru Sarazen World Open, will tee it up in the first two rounds with two Spaniards in Trophee Hassan II champion Alejandro Canizares and big-hitting Alvaro Quiros, kicking off at 0810 on from the tenth hole of the stunning Stadium Course.
The Open de España was last held at PGA Catalunya in 2009 when Thomas Levet returned victorious and the popular Frenchman will take to the lush fairways of the Girona venue alongside recent winner Ross Fisher and American sensation Peter Uihlein at 0810.
Meanwhile, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, one of four Spaniards in the field this week currently inside the top 65 in the Official World Golf Ranking at Number 50, will play in the afternoon session on day one at 1310 with four-time European Tour winner Matteo Manassero and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts.
In the group following, evergreen Miguel Angel Jimenez, still looking for a first victory in his 27th start at the Open de España, has Dutchman Joost Luiten and former Ryder Cup team-mate Francesco Molinari for company when they tee off at 1320 on Thursday.
Carlos Del Moral, the most recent winner at PGA Catalunya after regaining his European Tour playing privileges at the 2013 Qualifying School Final in winning style, tees off at 1415.
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