– The Open de España is already underway. It kicked off with a Monday that doesn’t feel like a Monday: Jon Rahm, Sergio García, Patrick Reed, Joaquín Niemann, and Ángel Hidalgo, the defending champion, have already been spotted at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, turning a training day into a true golf spectacle. The final preparations are still being made, but the atmosphere already smells like a big tournament.
– Rarely does a Monday gather such a line-up in Madrid. The most anticipated players of the tournament have taken advantage of the day to familiarise themselves with the course, adjust their feel, and start getting a measure of a layout that promises to demand a great performance from anyone who wants to lift the trophy on Sunday.
– One of the first to drop by the Club de Campo was Jon Rahm. The Basque, who didn’t go out to play on the course, got down to work and spent more than two hours on the driving range. The man from Barrika made an appearance with a detail that did not go unnoticed: special commemorative Ryder Cup shoes, with the colours of the European team and a visible inscription on the side and sole that read “Vamos Europa”. A symbolic way to continue enjoying the triumph at Bethpage and to kick off a week at home, where he seeks his fourth Open de España title, aiming to surpass Seve Ballesteros. Rahm knows the Club de Campo like few others. He won here in 2019, repeated in 2022, and now returns ready to lift the trophy again.
– The Lion of Barrika had a good chat with Josele Ballester and Ángel Hidalgo. The Ryder couldn’t be left out of the conversation. At one point, Jon’s competitive nature was evident; despite the great team victory and his excellent performance with three points, he lamented losing on Saturday afternoon alongside Sepp Straka. That’s how the best are, always seeking perfection.
– Another who wasted no time was Sergio García. The man from Borriol was among the first to hit the course on his return to the Open de España six years later, in search of his second national crown. A good version was seen from the 2017 Masters champion. He started on the 10th hole and completed nine holes.
– Patrick Reed returns to Madrid. The American seeks to improve on last year’s top ten and also showed this Monday his hunger and excitement to compete in the Spanish capital. Meanwhile, Chilean Joaquín Niemann also played his first holes in Madrid. The Latin player is looking to make his debut at the Club de Campo and lift his sixth title of the year. Quite something.
– While all the spotlight was on the big names, Hidalgo, the defending champion, went somewhat unnoticed, though not because of his haircut. He was already seen last week in Scotland with his new silver-tinted look, which has been a source of laughter between the Andalusian and Rahm. They were seen chatting comfortably on the practice field.
– Before the hustle and bustle of the week kicks off and the spotlight of the defending champion shines, Ángel attended the Club de Campo this Monday to get a head start. It’s his first time attending a tournament to try to defend the crown, and he seeks to tackle it in the best way possible. It’s no easy task, especially in Madrid.
Thus, amidst laughter and training, the Open de España has truly begun. A Monday with the scent of a major event. Rahm, Sergio, Reed, Niemann, and the defending champion already in action, no one doubts: this week, Madrid will once again be the epicentre of the golfing world.
