To celebrate DP World’s smart partnership with the DP World Tour, the end-to-end logistics company is rewarding the smartest brotherly partnership in this week’s Andalucía Masters with a charity birdie pledge. Donating £100 per birdie and £500 per eagle to a charity of the winning partnerships choice.

DP World is making a pledge to donate money to charity for every eagle and birdie registered by the best performing pair of brothers at this week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama, 13-16 October.

In the field are reigning US Open champion and the event’s defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick and his brother Alex, as well as the impressive Danish twins Rasmus & Nicolai Højgaard.

DP World will make a charitable donation for every birdie and eagle scored by the pair of brothers that lodge the lowest combined score over the four days of play at Valderrama. The charity will be nominated by the winning pair of brothers at the conclusion of the event.

Reminded of the 13 birdies he registered on his way to victory at the same event last year, Matt Fitzpatrick said: “Hopefully I can do more this year! It’s even more important now that we get the added bonus for charity. Hopefully it’ll be a good week and me & my brother can make plenty of birdies and eagles. We’ll see what the total is at the end of the week.”

Meanwhile Alex Fitzpatrick reflected on his first season on the DP World Tour alongside his brother, having turned professional earlier this year: “It’s been great to play with Matt and have his support in my first season on the DP World Tour. He has obviously had success here, which could give our partnership the edge in in the DP World birdie pledge, so let’s see how we do against the Højgaard brothers by the end of the week.”  

Talking about the importance of smart partnerships, Nicolai Højgard said: “We support each other. We wait at the 18th green and support each other. I think that's important as well, that it's not just about who wins between us, it's that we support each other when we are doing good. And we’ve learned to do that over the years.”

Commenting on DP World’s charitable initiative, his brother Rasmus added: “It’s going to be amazing if we can win the smart partnership competition. I remember back in 2020, I won some money for charity for the first time, it’s probably one of the best feelings you can get.”

DP World and the DP World Tour are celebrating the first year of their ‘Smart Partnership’ with the first anniversary of the announcement falling on 9 November. In celebration of this, DP World will be rewarding the best performing ‘Smart Partnership’ this week.

The initial partnership announcement between DP World and the European Tour Group, represented a significant deal in terms of global sports partnerships, with DP World’s substantial commitment dedicated to three key areas: elevating the Tour in every way, growing the game of golf globally, and driving positive community impact.

DP World is the leading provider of worldwide smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. DP World’s comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks as well as technology-driven customer solutions.

Find out more about DP World at www.dpworld.com

Matt Fitzpatrick’s enthusiasm for the test at Real Club Valderrama remains undiminished as he prepares to defend his Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters title - and close the gap at the top of the DP World Tour Rankings in partnership with Rolex.

The Englishman posted a patient bogey-free final round of 69 to win at the iconic 1997 Ryder Cup venue last year, and his career has since reached new heights after sealing a maiden Major victory at the U.S. Open in June. While he admits his expectations have altered since then, this date remains firmly circled on his calendar.

The eight-time DP World Tour winner has registered a further three top-20 finishes worldwide this year, including a runner-up spot at 2023 Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in last month’s DS Automobiles Italian Open.

He currently sits in second place behind Ryder Cup team-mate Rory McIlroy in the DP World Tour Rankings and, like third placed Ryan Fox, he has his sights set on topping the pile for the first time come November.

Fox arrives in Spain in a buoyant mood after his second win of the season at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship two weeks ago and is looking for a big finish to become New Zealand's first European Number One.

The Spanish contingent at Real Club Valderrama includes Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello, who is seeking more success on home soil to add to his 2021 acciona Open de España title, while Alejandro Cañizares will make his 400th DP World Tour appearance at his home course.

PLAYER QUOTES 

Matt Fitzpatrick: A lot has changed (since the Major win), expectations have changed, thoughts about everything have changed. Since the U.S. Open, I feel like I want to play events that I want to play. I’m going to places where I want to be and enjoy being, and this is a prime example of one of those. I’m really excited to tee off tomorrow.

There are just so many things that make this a tough test. The greens are small, fairways are tight, trees everywhere, the wind is swirling. It’s just a real test of everything. There is a bit more importance on driving, if you put the ball in play off the tee you can limit the mistakes. The last twice I played here – first time I missed the cut and wasn’t driving well, second time I drove it great and came out with a great result.

Patience is important. I had 15 pars in a row (on Sunday). Made my first birdie on 16 then birdied 17 to give myself a cushion going into 18. But patience is the key, it’s about not getting frustrated by bogeys. Sometimes making a bogey is good – it could have been more. If you can limit them, a winning score round here typically isn’t low, so it’s just important to keep yourself in it.

This is a chance for me to catch Rory this week, particularly round a golf course that I am comfortable on. Looking forward to having a chance going into Dubai. Winning the DP World Tour Rankings is on my list of goals. Hopefully can do it this year.

Ryan Fox: The Dunhill win probably hasn’t sunk in yet, it still feels a bit surreal. Obviously I know it happened and it’s been a whirlwind to be honest.

I just won’t change anything. I’ve done a good job this year of just trying to beat the golf course every week, not worrying about any external stuff and just go out and try to do the same thing every week, have a care-free attitude on the golf course.

If I can keep doing that for the rest of the year, hopefully I can challenge Rory and Fitz for the (DP World Tour Rankings) title at the end of the year. I’ve got to do something special to beat those guys, that have had fantastic years and are top ten players in the world for a reason.

Rafa Cabrera Bello: This is an iconic course. We know how difficult it is, it’s a true challenge, and I’m looking forward to fighting against it again this week. Bring it on. 

You need an extra dose of patience here. It’s very tough. Some shots need to be extremely accurate for them to end up being good shots, and good shots end up in bad places – that’s what makes it so hard.

I’m very proud of the Spanish crowds. I love the way they have treated me all over Spain. The Spanish crowds support us really well and they also have fun, you can feel the interaction with them. I just hope I can play good because I feel like I feed off them, but I know I need to hit the shots for it. I hope this week is my week and I’m up there again.

Alejandro Cañizares: It’s a big coincidence (to play the 400th event at home). I didn’t know until last week, it’s a coincidence that it’s at my home club and I’m really happy about it.

It’s just another tournament that I will play but I’m looking forward to the week, I’m with my family and at my home club. Very excited.

Looking back, I’ve learned that it’s not as important as it looks every week. Look at the bigger picture and see that time flies. Enjoy every moment that you can, enjoy every week. Don’t take playing on Tour for granted – I’ve learned that the last few years.

I’m excited, I’m still motivated, I’m still young enough – I think. I’ve got a lot of golf to show and I’m excited for the end of the year and what comes next.

Enjoying this DP World Tour event is easy and you can acquire individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama box office (credit or debit card payment required).

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World 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, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Next Thursday, Alejandro Cañizares will reach the remarkable milestone of 400 DP World Tour events as he tees it up at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, as determined as ever to “give his best in every shot”.

Reaching 400 events on tour is no small achievement, and to do it at home, “an incredible coincidence,” says Alejandro. “This is my club; I have practiced here since I was 15 or 16 and they’ve always helped me a lot. It’s very special to celebrate it here”.

Cañizares recalls vividly his first appearance on the then European Tour as an amateur, the 2002 Canarias Open de España, aged 19. “My brother caddied for me and I finished fourth from bottom, but Seve Ballesteros was behind me, and we also met at the airport. As I didn’t make the cut, we drove around the island and had a great time”.

In 2006 he won his card with full playing rights and needed only three starts to notch his first victory, the 2006 Russian Open. The second came at the 2014 Hassan II Trophy in Morocco.

Cañizares is proud of his 400 tournaments, “that means that I’ve teed it up many times during my 16-year career”. With countless battles in his bag, he looks forward to playing once again on his home course, Real Club Valderrama, in front of his home crowd.

“It’s been a tough year in terms of golf and also mentally, but the game is not over. I can’t have too many expectations, but I still have my goals and my dreams. I can only say that I’m going to give my best in every shot”.

AIMING AT THE 200^th SPANISH VICTORY ON THE DP WORLD TOUR

15 Spanish players target that very special goal, many of them with brilliant victories on their record, such as Pablo Larrazábal, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño and Álvaro Quirós (seven each), Rafa Cabrera-Bello (four), Adrián Otaegui (three), Alejandro Cañizares and Jorge Campillo (two) and Nacho Elvira (one).

They will be joined by fellow professionals Pep Anglés, Pedro Oriol, Ángel Hidalgo, Sebastián García Rodríguez, Santiago Tarrio and Alfredo García Heredia.

Ángel Ayora, leading amateur from La Cañada, will complete the Spanish field, having finished second in the 2022 Spanish International Under-18, as well as the Spanish Amateur Championship and the Spanish Absolute Championship.

All those who want to enjoy this DP World Tour event also have the opportunity to acquire individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama box office (credit or debit card payment required).

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World 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, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Kipp Popert claimed a fourth G4D Tour title in dominant fashion, winning by five shots from Chris Biggins at the G4D @ Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters.

The World Number Two got to five under par after rounds of 68 and 69 - including the first hole in one in G4D Tour history on Monday - around the notoriously tricky Real Club Valderrama, in the penultimate event of the season.

American Biggins finished on level par, fighting back from a four over par opening round, with local favourite Juan Postigo Arce one shot further back in third place. 

The win is Popert’s fourth in the space of six months, adding to his successes at the G4D @ Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett, G4D @ Porsche European Open and G4D @ BMW PGA Championship.

He said: “I’ve been telling all the members at my home course all year that I was looking forward to this one the most because the Tour pros say it’s the toughest test they have. Coming in here I had no idea what to expect, I just told myself not to get angry at any point – if I was in trouble, just get it back in play. 

“The course suits me as my wedge play is very strong. When I had a wedge in hand I had a lot of looks, so it was really nice to be under par. 

“I love checking leaderboards, but I only checked it on the 15th, the par three, I had just missed a six footer. I wish I has known the leaderboard before then. My friend Chris (Biggins) had told me at the start of the week that this was his course, and he was five under then. I thought, OK we might need to make a few birdies coming in.

“I got to 17, absolutely smoked a drive, a nine iron pin high, and then rolled in a big left to right putt.”

Popert will be joined next month at the G4D Tour Series Finale @ DP World Tour Championship by fellow winners from this season Mike Browne and Tommaso Perrino, with the remainder of the ten-player field to be confirmed on October 23, based on the WR4GD (World Rankings) published on October 19.

The Englishman said: “The final event is going to be brilliant. I’ve only been to Dubai once, for the tournament last year. I’ll go out a few weeks before and practice. It’s an awesome place to play golf, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

All those who want to enjoy this DP World Tour event also have the opportunity to acquire individual day tickets, weekend passes or season tickets at experiences.dpworldtour.com/edam or at Real Club Valderrama box office (credit or debit card payment required).

The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World 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, Cultura y Deporte of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.