Sergio Garcia excited about Valderrama return at Andalucia Masters
Defending Andalucia Masters champion Sergio Garcia is relishing his return to Valderrama on his home soil this week, although he’s expecting a tougher challenge this time around.
Garcia returns to one of the happiest hunting grounds of his career on the European Tour, arriving as a three-time champion following victories in 2011, 2017 as well as a four-shot win in a weather-delayed finish last year.
2017 ✅
2018 ✅
2019 ❓Will tournament host @TheSergioGarcia achieve a Valderrama three-peat? pic.twitter.com/kC4ldzfNhv
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 26, 2019
While the course looks firmer and is set to be more challenging in certain respects, Garcia is excited about the prospect of playing in dry, warm weather, after last year’s tournament was plagued by multiple delays due to bad weather.
“Coming back to Spain is always special but to come back to Valderrama, my favourite golf course where I have done so well, it’s really something else,” said the 39-year-old.
“It looks like this year is going to be totally different [compared to last year] so we’re excited to see how the course is going to play with good weather.
“It looks amazing, it’s getting quite firm so it’s going to be very challenging. The course is playing totally different than it has the past few years.”
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1143506191101943809
Spanish fans are in for a double treat this week, with World No 11 Jon Rahm also in the field.
The 24-year-old is hoping to shrug off a lingering cold and impress his home fans.
“It’s nothing I haven’t played with before,” Rahm said. “It’s not too bad, nothing that should stop me from playing good. I’ll never make that excuse.
“When you come to this golf course and it’s in this shape and how good it is and you get this weather, it’s beautiful. It’s a hard week to beat and I’m really looking forward to playing in my home country.”
The Andalucia Masters is part of the Open Qualifying Series, meaning that three players who finish in the top 10 and ties, who are not already exempt, will earn places in next month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Track the latest live scores from the Andalucia Masters by heading over to our LIVE score centre!
Latest
-
European TourCollin Morikawa wins Race to Dubai as Rory McIlroy’s frustrations boil over
The Northern Irishman appeared to rip his shirt open in the recording area behind the 18th green.
-
NewsTiger Woods shares footage of him hitting balls as rehab continues
Woods was injured in a car accident in February.
-
-
European TourRory McIlroy takes one-shot lead into final round in Dubai after shooting a 67
England’s Sam Horsfield is just a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Robert MacIntyre.
-
European TourDouble bogey on final hole sees Rory McIlroy slip shot off the pace in Dubai
The round one leader is a shot behind Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, England’s Sam Horsfield and American John Catlin.
-
European TourI’m on the right path – Rory McIlroy excited about road to next majors challenge
McIlroy is now a combined 148 under par in the £6.6million season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourOpen champion Collin Morikawa determined to take chances in Race to Dubai bid
Morikawa had the chance to top the Order of Merit by winning last year’s DP World Tour Championship.
-
European TourRory McIlroy unlikely to change schedule despite new-look European Tour
The European Tour will be known as the DP World Tour from the 2022 season but Florida-based McIlroy will continue to focus on the PGA Tour.
-
European TourPunter’s pointers at the DP World Tour Championship: Course and desert specialists to the fore
It’s the final week of the 2021 European Tour season and the best 50 players of the season are convening at Jumeirah’s Earth Course.
-
European TourJB Hansen wins AVIV Dubai Championship to claim second European Tour title
The Dane finished a shot clear of Italy’s Francesco Laporta and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.