Rewind
Sergio Garcia became the first Spaniard to win a stroke play event at Real Club Valderrama when he triumphed in the last edition of this event in 2011.
A one-shot victory over compatriot Miguel Angel Jiménez also confirmed Garcia's second win in two weeks, having claimed the Castelló Masters just seven days earlier.
The Spaniard's final round of 71 secured victory, despite Jiménez leading for much of the front nine. Richie Ramsay and Shane Lowry finished in outright third and fourth respectively.
After claiming his fifth win in his homeland, Garcia said: "It's very, very special. I have so much history here and unfortunately it wasn't as good as this until now!"
The Field
Reigning Masters Champion Garcia heads the field having won this tournament the last time it was played back in 2011.
He plays on home soil for the first time since his famous triumph at Augusta National in April, when he overcame Rose in a play-off to secure the famous Green Jacket.
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston won the Open de España at Valderrama last year and returns aiming to record his second European Tour win.
Meanwhile, World Number Five Jon Rahm will make his first appearance in Spain since turning professional after a superb rise to the top of the game. The 22 year old joined the paid ranks in 2016 and emulated his hero Seve Ballesteros in July when he stormed to a dominant victory and his first European Tour win at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation.
Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington is also in the field, playing in Spain for the first time in nine years.
The course
Having played host to The 1997 Ryder Cup, the Volvo Masters (1988-96 and 2002-2008), the World Golf Championships (1999-2000), the Andalucía Masters (2010-2011) and Open de España (2016), Valderrama remains one of the most revered and formidable golf courses in mainland Europe.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones and lovingly maintained by founder and original owner Jaime Ortiz Patiño for many years, this is one of the continent's toughest challenges.
The fourth hole, a par five of spectacular beauty, ends on a raised green next to a cascade of water meandering to a greenside lake; while the famous par five 17th features a green with bunkers at the back, and slopes down to an emerald lake. It is a favourite vantage point for spectators - and a regular bête noire for top championship players.
Did you know?
- This is the third edition of the Andalucía Masters, as the tournament returns to the European Tour International Schedule for the first time since 2011. The previous winners were Sergio Garcia (2011) and Graeme McDowell (2010)
- The famous Real Club Valderrama has hosted all three editions of this event
- This week’s field includes the last two winners of the Masters Tournament – Garcia and Danny Willett – and a further three Major winners in Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer and José María Olazábal
- World Number Five Jon Rahm joins Garcia and Olazábal amongst 15 Spanish players in the field as he makes his first professional appearance on home soil
- With his 2011 Andalucía Masters victory, Garcia became the first Spaniard to win a stroke play event at Real Club Valderrama
- The victory was Garcia’s fifth on home soil and second within two weeks following the Castelló Masters (2011, 2008), Mallorca Classic (2004) and Canarias Open de España (2002)
- There has never been a wire-to-wire winner of the Andalucía Masters, but previous winners Garcia and McDowell both led after 54 holes
- In September 1997 Real Club Valderrama was the scene of the first staging of The Ryder Cup in Continental Europe. The legendary Seve Ballesteros captained Europe to a 14½ - 13½ victory over the USA in his home country
- All funds raised during tournament week will go towards a cause promoted by tournament host García through the Sergio Garcia Foundation - an interior design project aimed at humanizing the X-ray unit of the Hospital Universitario La Paz with the objective of improving the emotional well-being of patients and their families
- Garcia set up his charitable foundation in 2002 for the purpose of contributing to the social inclusion of economically-deprived children through social assistance benefits and the practice of sport as free-time activity.
