The DP World Tour returns to Club de Campo Villa de Madrid this week as Jon Rahm looks to win his fourth title at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid. Here's what you need to know.
Rahm seeking more glory on home soil
Jon Rahm is hoping to add to his impressive resume in Madrid after emulating his hero Seve Ballesteros with an emotional third acciona Open de España presented by Madrid title last year.
Following back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, Rahm produced the lowest score in the history of the Open de España in front of home fans in 2022, charging to a remarkable nine-under 62 in the final round to win by six shots on 25 under-par. His dominant display included eight birdies, one bogey, and a near-albatross on the par-five 14th. He settled for an eagle on that hole, and with a comfortable cushion birdied his final two holes on the way to matching a feat his idol took his entire career to achieve.
He now arrives in the Spanish capital fresh from a week off following Ryder Cup glory at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, where he delivered three points from four matches as he went unbeaten in the process.
Site of Seve's final Tour win
History is everywhere this week at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid, which was the site of a then 38-year-old Seve Ballesteros' final Tour win in 1995.
The two-time Masters Tournament champion opened with a two under par 70, and followed it with a five under 67 to remain four back heading into the weekend. Always capable of producing moments of magic, the Spaniard did just that in the third round, shooting six under par to close the gap on new leader Gordon Brand Jnr to just one shot.
His final round got off to a shaky start with bogeys in his first three holes, but bounced back with a birdie at the fourth to ensure he made the turn in 38. Brand Jnr, who was leading at the time, made back-to-back bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes but still held on to the lead at 12 under par with Ballesteros and fellow Spaniards Jose Rivero and Ignacio Garrido breathing down his neck at 11 under.
As four players jostled for position at the top of the leaderboard, eventually Ballesteros produced some final magic to earn a final slice of history. He birdied the 14th, 15th and 18th holes to beat Rivero and Garrido by two strokes to secure his final victory and third in his home open, and secured his position as the most decorated winner in the Tour's history.
A historic event and venue
In 1972, the Open de España, which that year was held at Pals Golf Club in Girona – won by Spaniard Antonio Garrido – became the first official event on the Tour. Its long-standing status as one of the original events has seen the tournament played all but two years (2017 and 2020) in the last five decades, with winners including Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Pádraig Harrington.
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid officially opened in 1931 and 12 months later its golfing adventure began with the opening of a nine-hole course. In 1990, it hosted its first DP World Tour event and since then has hosted 12 more across the Open de España, Open de Madrid and Madrid Masters.
Ballesteros is joined on the roll of honour by fellow Ryder Cup Captains Colin Montgomerie and Pádraig Harrington.
Acciona fulfils commitment to leave positive impact as lasting legacy
The Open de España boasts strong sustainability credentials, deploying an array of sustainable solutions during the tournament to neutralise any harmful effects on the environment, ensuring a positive environmental, social and economic net impact that will remain as a legacy to Madrid.
In the past three years, the carbon footprint has been reduced by 25.6%, while over 6,400 tress have been planted.
Among a host of measures being taken in 2023, there will be a complete reuse of structures built while spectators and media alike are being encouraged to use sustainable transport.
As part of the tournament organisers' goal to reduce emissions by attendee, solar panels are being installed to cover part of the energy consumption.
In collaboration with title sponsor Acciona, which develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, the ACCIONA Under Par Emissions Award will offset 10 times the winner’s CO2 emissions for an entire season.
