If just over two years ago the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters embarked on a new path with renewed vigour thanks to the sponsorship of Estrella Damm, the Mediterranean beer made with 100% natural ingredients, it could be said that the 2021 edition represents a new leap in quality thanks to three fundamental factors: the presence in its notable line-up of world number one Jon Rahm, the return of the public to Real Club Valderrama and the decisive support of all the private and entities and institutions (headed by the Junta de Andalucía) and that back this European Tour tournament to be held from 14 to 17 October at the emblematic club in San Roque.

All the parties involved decided to maintain the event on the calendar in a difficult year, 2020, despite the covid pandemic, and the commitment they showed at the time is now rewarded with the possibility of once again offering a unique spectacle to fans from all over the world. The harmony between the organisations that promote and support the tournament was perceived at the presentation held on Thursday in Madrid, where the attendees had the opportunity to listen to the representatives of an Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. With three million euros in prize money, the highest amount of the European Tour events held this year in Spain, the tournament has been declared an event of exceptional public interest by the Spanish Government.

The venue is, again, the Real Club Valderrama, an unbeatable golf course that has already hosted 25 European Tour events and a historic Ryder Cup in which Seve Ballesteros captained the European team to victory. Fulfilling all the requirements set by the health authorities, the manicured streets of the Sotogrande course will again be lined up with a loyal and knowledgeable public in this seventh edition of the championship.

The president of the Real Club Valderrama wanted to emphasise the exceptional nature of this Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and the attractions it offers for players, fans and sponsors. In the future, there is also the prospect of growing and achieving an even more global reach.

"We are very excited and I would like to thank Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía for being our sponsors and friends in this project. Valderrama is going to be a top venue for the great champions who come, such as Jon Rahm, number one and U.S. Open winner. We want it to be a tough but fair course, and we want good shots to be rewarded," said Nuno de Brito e Cunha. "Looking to the future, we, Estrella Damm and the Junta de Andalucía have a commitment: this tournament has to go further. The situation between the European Tour and the PGA Tour has changed and, although I can't see the future, they have taken a very important step in their relationship. There is no reason why golf should not have a world tour... and there are going to be very big tournaments in Europe. If I had to put my money on it, I would bet that Valderrama will be at the forefront.

Jaime Salaverri, vice-president of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, highlighted the importance of Spain and the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters on the international schedule and the role of Real Club Valderrama as a standard bearer for Spanish, European and world golf.

"We must congratulate the European Tour, because in a very complicated year they are moving forward with projects. This year there will be six tournaments in Spain and it has been many years since we had so many events in our country. On the Professionals Committee, which I chair, we are delighted to have so many opportunities for our players. This time it's on a wonderful course like Valderrama, which will be a very important test for the players," recapped Salaverri.

José María Zamora, Tournament Director of the European Tour, reviewed the main sporting assets of this tournament and had the opportunity to summarize some new developments related to the list of players.

"Valderrama is one of the few courses where we never have to worry about the conditions. In addition, this edition offers three million euros in prize money, provides 4,250 points for the Race to Dubai, being one of the most important tournaments of the European Tour schedule, and registration closes on September 30th, so it is likely that more top players will sign up. Jon Rahm is coming, who is currently third in the Race to Dubai, 600 points behind Collin Morikawa, and winning at Valderrama would put him at the top of the rankings. Rafa Cabrera Bello, who hasn't been able to attend for a few years, will also be playing, and we are still working to incorporate other Ryder Cup players," Zamora concluded.

Manuel Muñoz highlighted the importance of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in the promotional, tourism and sporting strategy of the Junta de Andalucía, and even more so in the current circumstances, given that showing the return to normality in front of spectators from all over the world will help to reinforce Andalucía's position as a leading golf destination.

"Once again, Andalucía is under the golfing spotlight thanks to two reasons: firstly, the magnificent Valderrama course, one of the best in Europe, and the collaboration of Estrella Damm, our friend with whom we have been working together for so many years. This year is important, after all our 2020 efforts trying to keep alive a long-lasting project. This year we will have the world number one, which will give us a worldwide impact, and the public will come back. Golf is one of the main resources Andalusia has for attracting tourists to our land and a benchmark in the diversification of the offer of our territory. Two years ago, more than one and a half million people visited Andalusia specifically to play golf, which led us to strengthen our collaboration with both the RFEG, the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation and the golf courses of our land. "The Secretary General for Tourism of the Junta de Andalucía stressed.

Jorge Villavecchia, CEO of Damm, wanted to highlight the close links between his company and sport since its foundation, both in the men's and women's spheres, and the role played by major sporting events such as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters in the internationalisation of the brand.

"For the third consecutive year, Estrella Damm will be alongside the great golf stars and all their fans in the incomparable setting of the Real Club Valderrama. A tournament of which we are especially proud to carry the name of our flagship brand, and together with which we will continue to work to place it at the top of the international golfing scene. Our commitment to the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters only reinforces Damm's commitment to golf, sport and society", added Villavecchia.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a European Tour tournament that forms part of the decisive leg of the 2021 Race to Dubai, will feature a spectacular international field headed by Jon Rahm, current world number one, first Spanish winner of the U.S. Open and recently awarded the PGA Player of the Year by the PGA of America, as well as the Vardon Trophy and the Byron Nelson Award for the player with the lowest stroke average in the 2020-21 PGA Tour season.

Rafa Cabrera Bello, three-time winner on the European Tour and member of the European team that contested the 2016 Ryder Cup, reinforces the competition's roster. The Gran Canarian returns to Real Club Valderrama after shining at the Open de España held at the club in 2016 and becoming one of the mainstays of Spanish golf in the last decade.

Tickets are now available for this year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with options for purchasing individual tickets for each day, four-day passes or weekend passes, with preferential rates for children under 14, federated golfers or people with reduced mobility.

Tickets can be purchased from the Tickets menú on the tournament website, at edamgolf.es or at Fever.

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU, declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain. This tournament is also supported by the Diputación de Cádiz, Exterior Plus, Rolex y Santander Private Banking. Callaway, Cinco Jotas, Enterprise, Gadira, Grupo Raga, Kyocera, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, Marca, the Real Federación Andaluza de Golf, Varma and Volvo are official suppliers.