Once again this year, the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation, scheduled for October 18-21 at Real Club Valderrama, will become the key promotional initiative of the Junta de Andalucía for professional golf, as it showcases the region’s sports and tourism potential.

The arrival of 450,000 golf visitors from all over the world over the past year to Andalusia – spending three times more than regular tourists – highlights the importance of golf for the development of the area. Golf is a major industry in Andalusia and priority strategic sector for the Tourism and Sports Council.

With the purpose of reinforcing its attractiveness, Turismo Andaluz has set up a number of promotional actions in various regions – France, Central Europe or the Nordic countries – designed to supplement the involvement of Junta de Andalucía in top tier professional golf events such as the Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9, the women’s Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España and, last but not least, the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, the final stop in the European Tour regular schedule.

During the official tournament presentation recently held at Valderrama, Antonio Fernández, Secretary General for sports of the Junta de Andalucía said: “Sports and tourism, tourism and sports are the perfect combination in order to promote development and wealth creation. What is the worth of reaching 400 million homes, the actual outreach of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters? A huge figure that reinforces the commitment and longstanding support of the Junta de Andalucía for this golf tournament. These big international events provide the perfect showcase for our wonderful region as they associate Andalusia with quality and excellence. ”

The presence of 41,494 spectators attending last year’s edition underlines the impact of these events, both direct and through the media. As the Andalucía Valderrama Masters is viewed in 400 million homes worldwide, it showcases the appeal of Andalusia, its climate, its golf courses and its rich complementary offer.

On the other hand, hosting a top-class event boosts the efforts of the Sports Council as it works to bring the game of golf to the general public. Andalusia is the Spanish autonomous region that offers the greatest number of golf courses, the second, only behind Madrid, in number of golf licenses, and boasts the greatest number of golf facilities per square metre in Continental Europe.

Statistics confirm the great job that is being done at the public golf schools fostered by the Council in order to make golf accessible to all, coupled with an increasing number of initiatives aimed at promoting the game among youngsters, women and families.

From October 18-21, all of them will have the opportunity to witness first-hand the excitement of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, an outstanding golf event that culminates the efforts of the Junta de Andalucía in the field of professional golf.

Tickets for the 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation are available HERE. Children under 14 are admitted to the event free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

The Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation is sponsored by the Council of Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía through the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union, with the added institutional support of the Diputación de Cádiz, the San Roque City Council and the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation. It also enjoys the support of La Reserva de Sotogrande, Rolex, Heineken, Dubai Duty Free, Santander Private Banking, Shell, Exterior Plus and Samsic Iberia. Only Water, Grupo Hospitalario Quirónsalud, Coca-Cola, Varma and Korporate Technologies Group are official suppliers.

Three Spanish European Tour winners in 2018 – Adrián Otaegui, Pedro Oriol and Scott Fernández – look forward to the last regular event of the season.

All eyes will be turned towards Valderrama from October 18-21 as a strong Spanish field gathers for the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation. This is the last regular event of the 2018 season which is open to all European Tour members, and it carries a particular significance for the home contingent led by tournament host Sergio García.

Otaegui, Oriol and Fernández cannot wait for the action to begin.

Adrián Otaegui: “Playing at Valderrama is awesome”

25-year-old Otaegui, currently playing his fifth full European Tour season, is enjoying his best year up to date well positioned in the upper half of the Race to Dubai. After winning the Belgian Knockout in May, his second European Tour title, he sets his aims high for Valderrama where he finished tied 12^th in last year’s edition.

“Valderrama is one of the courses I enjoy the most and my favourite course in Spain for sure. It’s always in top condition. Playing at Valderrama is awesome; you need to bring your best game in order to score decently and that’s a big motivation for me.

“It’s a challenging layout with no room for error. The greens are small, so accuracy is key both off the tee and approaching the green; you need to find the right angle when attacking the pins and try to leave yourself uphill putts. It’s a thinker’s course, but strategy can vary from day to day depending on the wind and the course setup. It’s a course you need to know, and the more you play it the more you’re going to learn from it. I have been lucky enough to play it many times, so I can benefit from that experience.

“Valderrama has so many good holes that I can’t pick the best one. I particularly like the par threes. The 6^th had a very steep green, but it has been flattened a bit; the 12^th is a strong par three; and the 15^th is also a great hole.”

Pedro Oriol: “If you play well at Valderrama, you will play well anywhere in the world”

Oriol earned his 2018 playing rights on the European Tour by finishing 10^th in the Challenge Tour rankings. Earlier in 2017 he collected his first Challenge Tour title in the prestigious Rolex Trophy.

Pedro enters the final stretch of the season boosted by his victory in the European Golf Team Championships together with partner Scott Fernández, and looks to end the season strongly in a venue that means a lot to him.

“I always think of Valderrama as my preferred golf course for many reasons: for its history – Ryder Cup, Volvo Masters, WGC events; for its great champions – Seve and now Sergio; for the iconic 17^th. But also because every single shot you hit at Valderrama is a challenge. Every swing must be pinpoint accurate. Tight fairways lined by cork trees; small, fast and slopey greens; thick rough and relentless wind make a true test of golf. Mi favourite hole is the 15^th, and if the pin is tucked back right it’s just perfect for my fade. I love the sight of the green as it stretches downhill to the right, well defended by bunkers on both sides.

“Every time you tee it up at Valderrama, both in competitive and friendly rounds, you get a feeling of maximum challenge, and that is invaluable for a professional because you learn so much. If you play well at Valderrama, you will play well anywhere in the world. We in Spain are very lucky to have a world-class venue like Valderrama, and we owe it in great measure to Jaime Ortiz-Patiño. Personally, I am most thankful for being allowed to enjoy the facilities of this wonderful club and made feel at home whenever I come to this area.

“Last year I was busy fighting for my European Tour card on the Challenge Tour so I missed out on the Andalucía Valderrama Masters. I feel honoured and excited to play this year and look forward to a good week. I’ve heard that this event might be included in the Rolex Series. Hopefully that will happen soon and Valderrama will continue to host spectacular tournaments.”

Scott Fernández: “I couldn’t think of a better place than Valderrama to start my professional career”

In his first full European Tour season, Fernández will return to Valderrama where he made his professional debut. After winning gold for Spain paired with Oriol at the European Team Championships, he looks forward to retaining his tour card in his native Andalusia.

“I am excited to play the Andalucía Valderrama Masters, a great event that makes me proud both as a Spaniard and as an Andalusian. I played my first professional tournament at Valderrama – the 2016 Open de España – thanks to an invite from Sergio García. I am really grateful to Sergio because I couldn’t think of a better place to start my professional career than the course that hosted the Ryder Cup in Andalusia, my homeland.

“My first European Tour event as a spectator was the 2006 or 2007 Volvo Masters. I went with my father, and I remember watching Sergio and all the top players. I was impressed by the sound of the shots amongst the cork trees and by the view of the greens from the fairways and the tees.

“If I must choose two holes at Valderrama I would go for the 17^th and the 15^th, but I really like them all. The 15^th is a tough par three with a stunning view. I have noticed some changes on the greens, which are now fairer and allow for more pin positions. The 11^th, tough still narrow, has been widened to the left, which gives a little bit more space and creates an interesting pin option behind the bunker. The 16^th used to be surrounded by rough, but now the front of the green has been left open.

“I love this course because you really have to think your way through every hole. Strategy is key for dealing with these swirling winds, so I have more or less planned my strategy for each type of wind. It’s a super golf course that tests every aspect of your game. I have been lucky to play it several times and to practice some days during the winter, so I would like to thank the club management for their hospitality.”

Tickets for the 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation are available HERE. Children under 14 are admitted to the event free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

The Andalucía Valderrama Masters – a Race to Dubai event – is sponsored by the Council of Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía and supported by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund), La Reserva de Sotogrande, Rolex, Heineken, Dubai Duty Free, Diputación de Cádiz, Shell, Exterior Plus and Santander Private Banking. Only Water, Quirónsalud and Korporate Technologies Group are official suppliers.

Pedro Oriol and Scott Fernández, with the European Team Championships' trophy 

Experienced quartet has a combined total of 20 previous Ryder Cup appearances

They join the eight automatic qualifiers for Team Europe

Bjørn's side takes on the United States at Le Golf National, France

European Captain Thomas Bjørn has selected Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson to complete his 12-player team for The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, France. The four captain’s picks join Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, Thorbjørn Olesen, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose in Bjørn’s side to take on Jim Furyk’s United States team as Europe seeks to regain The Ryder Cup in Paris from September 28-30, 2018.

Garcia, Casey, Poulter and Stenson have a wealth of experience in the biennial contest with a combined total of 20 previous Ryder Cup appearances, the quartet contributing 48½ points to the European cause.

Garcia and Stenson are both Major Champions and will feature in the biennial contest for the ninth time and fifth time respectively, with Garcia only three points away from becoming Europe’s leading all-time points scorer.

Englishman Poulter has played a key role in four wins from his five previous appearances, including the streak of three consecutive European victories in 2010, 2012 and 2014, while his compatriot Casey returns to the Ryder Cup arena after an absence of ten years, having played in three successive Ryder Cups from 2004 to 2008, contributing to two European victories.

Bjørn said: “These four were desperate to be part of The Ryder Cup and as soon as they got the call, their minds went straight to, ‘right, we’ve got to achieve something in Paris’.

“I always say there are players who want to be in The Ryder Cup team, and there are players who want to play in The Ryder Cup. These four players want to play in the Ryder Cup. They want to be on the golf course and win points.

“It makes me very happy to see this group of 12. I believe that together we can do great things.

“If I had written down 12 names before I started my captaincy journey, it wouldn't have been far away from this. I'm very delighted with this team and I'm very proud to be captain for these 12 players. They bring so much to European golf, and they are just a fantastic group of guys.

“We know what we are up against. We know what America brings, but I'm confident that this is the group of guys that can do the job.

Garcia has contributed 22½ points in his eight previous Ryder Cup appearances and is joint fifth on the list of all-time European points scorers. The Spaniard, who won the Masters Tournament in 2017, has been part of five victorious European teams, and has a particularly impressive foursomes record, having won nine and halved three of his 15 matches in the format.

Garcia said: “It feels amazing. I’m very thankful to Thomas for believing in me. I know that it probably wasn't an easy decision, but he knows what I bring to the team, not only game-wise but inside the team room.

“It's been a tough year. I've been working hard. I feel like my game is coming along. Obviously I played quite nicely in Greensboro a couple of weeks back, and now I'm trying to be as ready as I can be to help the European Team win that Cup back. That's the goal and that's what we want.

“It is very exciting for me to be part of another Ryder Cup team, and I'm going to give everything I have, not only on the golf course, but in the team room, to make sure that some of those rookies and some of the other guys feel as comfortable as possible and try to make them better and more comfortable. Hopefully that helps us all to get our goal, which is winning The Ryder Cup again.

Casey is back in the European Team for the first time in a decade after returning to winning ways in the United States at the Valspar Championship, with a further five top ten finishes worldwide in 2018. The 41 year old started his Ryder Cup career in fine fashion in 2004, teaming up with David Howell to defeat Furyk and Chad Campbell in the Saturday fourballs as Europe sealed a record-equalling 18½-9½ win at Oakland Hills Country Club. The 13-time European Tour winner went on to win five points from nine matches across his three Ryder Cup appearances.

Casey said: “It’s been ten years since I last played a Ryder Cup. I’ve put a lot in to this, so to stand here confirmed as part of this team is amazing, I’m very honoured. It’s great to play for Captain Bjørn and I’m very excited.

“I’ve had ups and downs in my career. At times I’ve questioned the success I would have in the future, but I’ve stayed very consistent and focused on what I was doing. I’ve played very, very good golf in the last three, four, five years and put The Ryder Cup in the crosshairs and made it a very big goal. I re-joined the Tour and right now I’m playing some of the best golf I’ve ever played.

“I only wanted to be a part of the team if I felt I could be a great contributor, which I know I can be. Once I announced my intentions to Thomas it was full-tilt. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We have to push on and go to Paris and win and I’m excited to get back to somewhere I feel I belong.

Poulter has an enviable Ryder Cup record, winning 12 of his 18 matches, and he remains undefeated in the singles. He has enjoyed an impressive season, finishing just outside the automatic qualification spots with four top tens on the European Tour added to a victory at the Houston Open on the US PGA Tour.

The 42 year old has given European fans many memorable Ryder Cup moments, including his performance in 2012 at the Medinah Country Club when he won all four of his matches as Europe produced a famous comeback.

Poulter said: “This feels extra special to be part of another Ryder Cup Team. For Thomas to give me the call yesterday to say ‘I’d like you to join this great team’ means absolutely everything to me. It’s going to be an incredible spectacle.

“It is a very strong US team but when you look at the European Team on paper now I get goose bumps just standing here thinking about it.

“This Ryder Cup is everything to me and for me to know I am going to be part of that team, hopefully part of a victorious team, and to lift that trophy again, keeps me going.

“It has been a tough two years – 208th in the world rankings two years ago. That little gold trophy kept my heart beating and to be competing for that again is magical.

Two-time Race to Dubai winner and 2016 Open Champion Stenson formed a formidable partnership with fellow Major winner Rose as Europe secured the last of three consecutive Ryder Cup wins in 2014. The pair were victorious in their three matches at Gleneagles, including a comprehensive 5&4 win over Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson in the Friday fourballs.

The Olympic silver medal winner has contributed eight points to the European cause over his four appearances, beginning with the 2006 victory at the K Club, with his most recent point a 3&2 defeat of Jordan Spieth in the Singles at Hazeltine.

Stenson said: “It means a lot to me. I’ve got some of the greatest memories of my career from being part of the European Ryder Cup team, so to get that phone call to be playing in Paris is incredible. I’m super-excited and I’m going to do my very best to show up with my best form possible.

“It’s going to be a great venue. Europe has one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had, so does America, so it’s all set for possibly the greatest battle ever.

Le Golf National, France, will host The 2018 Ryder Cup from September 28-30, 2018, when Europe will try to regain the Ryder Cup following defeat at Hazeltine National two years ago. Bjørn’s team will be looking to extend an impressive winning record on home soil which stretches back to Valderrama, Spain, in 1997 – the first time the biennial contest was played on Continental Europe.

Palmarés Sergio García

Palmarés Paul Casey

Palmarés Ian Poulter

Palmarés Henrik Stenson

Sergio García beats Jim Furyk at Ryder Cup 2012 (credit: Getty Images)

2012 Ryder Cup winning European Team (credit: Getty Images)

2014 Ryder Cup winning European Team (credit: Getty Images)

The venue of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio García Foundation, to be held from October 18-21 under the sponsorship of the Council of Tourism and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía is one of the most exciting layouts in continental Europe. Tight fairways, small firm greens and relentless wind present a stiff challenge up to the last shot.

There is no sure win at Valderrama, but only six of the 21 Tour events staged at this historic layout – besides the Ryder Cup – have gone to extra holes.

Scottish duel

Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie starred in the first of these showdowns at the 1992 Volvo Masters. Lyle led by four entering the final round, but Monty worked his way up with a superb 69. The lead was shared for most of the day until Lyle three-putted for bogey on 14. He came back with a birdie on 15 and saved a miraculous par on 17 after a shanked 9-iron hit a tree out of bounds and bounced back into light rough.

They ended tied in 287 (+3). On the first play-off hole, Lyle hit a perfect tee shot. Monty tried to fade his in a left-to-right wind, but hit a tree 60 yards out and ended his challenge.

This was the 18th and last of Lyle’s European Tour victories. As for Montgomerie, he came back by winning the following edition of the Volvo Masters in 1993, the year he triggered his incredible feat of winning seven European Tour Orders of Merit in a row.

Tiger and Jiménez face-to-face

One of the best remembered play-offs at Valderrama pitched local hero Miguel Ángel Jiménez against a dominant Tiger Woods at the 1999 WGC-American Express Championship.

Woods looked to be cruising towards his eighth win of the season three strokes ahead of Jiménez, but disaster awaited him in the final stretch. After bogeying 16, a triple bogey 8 on 17 put Jiménez one ahead on the last tee, supported by a thrilled home crowd. The Spanish dreams were shattered as Miguel failed to par 18 (278 -6) and the then world number one ensured victory with a perfect birdie on the first extra hole.

A handshake at twilight

At the 2002 Volvo Masters Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie agreed to share the title as night fell in Valderrama. Langer and Montgomerie had tied on 281 (-3) after signing for scores of 67 and 70.

The play-off was delayed because Montgomerie was whisked from the recording unit at the 18th green to the television compound to view a video tape of an incident at the 10th. There had been a possibility that Montgomerie had addressed a moving ball before tapping in, which could have resulted in a two stroke penalty.

Once it was determined that there had been no rules infraction, both players headed for the 18th tee in the gathering gloom. After halving two extra holes in pars, both contenders accepted the offer by Ken Schofield, The European Tour’s Executive Director, to share the spoils and shook hands in pitch darkness.

The decision to share the trophy was not unprecedented, and coincidentally the last occasion a draw was declared also involved Langer. He and Seve Ballesteros had completed four holes of a play-off for the 1986 Trophée Lancôme when darkness brought proceedings to a close in Paris.

The longest duel in Valderrama history

The following year, the 2003 Volvo Masters ended in a tie between Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson and Spain’s Carlos Rodiles. It was a 28-hole Sunday for the leaders, as they had to complete six holes of the weather suspended third round and needed four extra holes to determine the winner.

The final stretch was as tense as could be. Rodiles bogeyed 16 to trail by one, but 17 proved to be key once again as the Spaniard birdied while Jacobson spun his third into the water for a double bogey. The local favourite held a two stroke lead going into the final hole, which at some courses is a comfortable lead, but not at Valderrama.

Rodiles tugged his tee shot and had to settle for a bogey while Jacobson conjured up a towering 9-iron from 151 yards to two and a half feet for the birdie that forced the play-off.

Rodiles set up winning chances on the first three extra holes, but the putts refused to drop. Memories of the 2002 stalemate were fast resurfacing when the players returned to the 18th for the sixth time of the day – the first being when they completed their delayed third rounds in the morning (276 -12). When Rodiles mishit his tee shot and could only chip sideways from the trees, Jacobson took his chance with an immaculate 8-iron to six feet and the contest was over.

Three in a row

In 2004 Valderrama lived up to its reputation of ‘Valde-drama’ as for the third succesive year the Volvo Masters Andalucía provided the sudden-death excitement of a play-off. Ryder Cup teammates Ian Poulter and Sergio García had carded matching rounds of 70 to finish regulation at 277 (-7). García had missed a golden chance to seal the title in regular play when he launched an eight iron approach from 175 yards to five feet at the 72nd hole, but failed to convert. Poulter joined the Spaniard in the play-off as he missed a birdie try of his own on the last.

Back to the 18th, both players hit poor drives, but Poulter ended up in much better shape. García could not get out of the rough while his opponent knocked down a 7-iron to the apron and saved par to claim the title.

Once again, the home crowd was disappointed, and Sergio was left to rue missed birdie opportunities on 17 and 18. Seven years later he would put things right by winning the 2011 Andalucía Valderrama Masters in front of an enthusiastic gallery, and again in 2017. This year he will return to one of his favourite courses as defending champion and tournament host.

Rose prevails in the end

The last play-off at Valderrama was a three-way fight for the 2007 Volvo Masters title between Britons Justin Rose and Simon Dyson and Dane Søren Kjeldsen (283 -1). Rose had started the day four shots ahead of the field and maintained his lead until a double bogey on 11 started a worrying run of four dropped shots in five holes. He looked like losing the Order of Merit as well as the tournament, but managed to hang on with a superb two-putt birdie on 17 that earned him a spot in the play-off.

Reaching the play-off ensured him the Order of Merit, but that would have been no consolation had he blown the tournament. He was determined to win, and did just that by birdieing the second extra hole from 15 feet to clinch the season-ending title.

Tickets for the 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Mastershosted by the Sergio García Foundation are available HERE

Children aged under 14 are admitted to the event free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

Image 1992 Volvo Masters Sandy Lyle courtesy of Getty Images

Image 1999 WGC-American Express Championship Tiger Woods courtesy of Getty Images

Image 2002 Volvo Masters Langer y Montgomerie courtesy of Paul Lakatos

Image 2003 Rodiles y Jacobson 2 VMA courtesy of Paul Lakatos

Image 2004 VMA Ian Poulter courtesy of Paul Lakatos

Image 2007 Volvo Masters Justin Rose hole 18 courtesy of Paul Lakatos