U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark is relishing the opportunity to tackle the test of Real Club de Golf Sotogrande as he makes his maiden appearance on Spanish soil at his week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

The World Number Ten has enjoyed a breakthrough year on the PGA TOUR, winning for the first time at the Wells Fargo Championship in May before claiming his maiden Major title at Los Angeles Country Club a month later. He then made his Ryder Cup debut in Rome, contributing 1 ½ points to the U.S. Team’s total.

The 29-year-old tees it up as the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters enters a new era at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande. The Robert Trent Jones designed layout makes its debut on the DP World Tour this week, but is no stranger to hosting prestigious events.

The Andalucían venue has hosted the Sotogrande Cup for over 50 years and has a list of winners which includes Major Champions Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington and Francesco Molinari, with the Italian making his first appearance in this event for 12 years.

Molinari, the 2018 Open Champion, will play the first two rounds alongside Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, who claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at last week’s acciona Open de Espana presented by Madrid, and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar.

The American, who has represented the U.S. Team in the Ryder Cup on four occasions, joins countryman Clark in teeing it up in Spain for the first time, while Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre flies the European flag as the sole member of Luke Donald’s triumphant Ryder Cup team in Sotogrande this week.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox will be looking to continue his excellent run of form which includes a Rolex Series victory – at the BMW PGA Championship – and two top three finishes in his last four starts, having climbed to third on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

Player quotes

Wyndham Clark: It’s beautiful. Thus far, it’s been a great experience. The food’s been fantastic, the people are amazing and as for the golf course, I was really pleasantly surprised. I really haven’t played much golf like this. The trees out there, the topography, it’s so beautiful, I’ve really enjoyed my time thus far.

At the end of the day, it’s golf, you’ve still got to get the ball in the hole. There are a lot of similarities, but I just think as a golfer you want to play against the best competition around the world and challenge yourself as a player. You want to play different environments, courses, players and put yourself in those environments and see how you handle it. I love coming over here and challenging myself. I love to travel so I like seeing the world and coming to a country that is as great as this, is a real treat for me.

“I hope there are more events we can play over here. I love the PGA TOUR, I love the United States but I also love travelling the world and to grow the game of golf, I think it’s the best thing for golf, to make it a global game. If we could play more events outside the US, who have both US players and international players, I think it’s the best thing for the game. I would love it if we had five to seven events outside the US which were in Europe, or in Asia, or the Middle East, or wherever it is.

Matt Kuchar: The topography here is beautiful – it reminds me a lot of Southern California. You’ve got mountains, you’ve got the ocean, you’ve got palm trees, it’s a pretty special place. The weather seems to be great, although they say tomorrow’s not going to be quite as good. I’m excited to be here. The weather we’ve had the last few days, the scenery that’s around. We’re staying pretty close to where Wyndham is, we saw them walking around last night near the marina.

There are a number of unique tee shots that I don’t feel like we don’t see very often on the PGA TOUR. With the elevation changes here and the severity of the dog-legs, trying to figure out whether or not to be aggressive and cut a corner or lay-up is a challenge. I feel like there’s a bit of a learning curve, I guess for everybody playing a competitive tournament here, but trying to figure out off the tee. There are still three or four holes where I’m still thinking do I lay up or do I pull drive and try and cut the corner. 

Pablo Larrazabal: It is actually my first time here. My caddie lives up the road, my dad lives five minutes away and it’s the first time I’m playing this golf course. Well, I actually think I played once when I was 13 or so, but it’s been 27 years without playing here. A couple of rounds around here is enough to really love this place and to look forward to a great challenge.

This is a really cool place. It’s a beautiful piece of art. Having these golf courses around us, it’s not that famous, but this is a golden piece we have in the south of Spain.

Francesco Molinari: It’s a distant memory now but I remember it very clearly because it was my first major international amateur win. I remember the course pretty well after 19 years. I remember playing with a few guys that are out here on Tour now. They are great memories and I can say I’m pretty happy with how the last 19 years have gone since then. I think younger me would be pretty happy with how my career has been so far.

I think the course is pretty much the same. They changed the grass, so it’s slightly different grass and I think they added a couple of tees. The large part of the course is mostly the same. It’s amazing, even after 19 years, playing the course the memories come back and it’s a really good course. It’s tricky with the wind, so I think we’ll see some good things this week.

To enjoy the tournament you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

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 de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, the new stage for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, brings back old memories to the Spanish participants, as most of them competed there as amateurs. This week they will go in quest of a Spanish win on the Trent Jones layout on its debut as a DP World Tour venue.

The course has been set up to the highest standards, with tighter fairways, deep Bermuda rough and fast greens, ready to showcase the best golf for the enjoyment of spectators from October 19-22.

Seventeen of the 126 players in the field are Spanish: Pep Anglés, Adri Arnaus, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Jorge Campillo, Alejandro Cañizares, Nacho Elvira, Sebastián García, Alfredo García Heredia, Ángel Hidalgo, Pablo Larrazábal, Jaime Montojo (AM) Adrián Otaegui, Carlos Pigem, Álvaro Quirós, Alejandro del Rey, Santiago Tarrío, and Borja Virto, many of whom posed for the traditional pre-tournament group photo on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the most in-form right now is Alfredo García Heredia who could secure his card for next season at Sotogrande, having finished ninth last week in Madrid.

“I’ll keep doing the same things as last week, stick to my game plan and stay in touch with my coach Jorge Parada. The course is in great shape. I played it a few times after the renovation but there’s a lot more rough than usual. This course can be very challenging with wind. If I lose my card it won’t be for this tournament but because I had four bad months this year,” he admits.

Jaime Montojo, the only amateur in the field, is the winner of last year’s Copa Sotogrande and a member of the club.

“I know all the bad spots to avoid from the tee and around the greens, but my biggest advantage would be a strong wind changing direction from one day to another, because I am very familiar with the prevailing winds. I prefer the westerly, not so much on the first holes but certainly on the back nine with the wind behind. When it blows from the east, 15 and 18 become long, and you get a tense tee shot on 14 with all the water. Anyhow, the course is playing different with tighter fairways, deep rough and greens as fast as ever,” he explains.

Montojo is excited about this week. “This is my first professional tournament. Obviously there’s always pressure, but I am here to enjoy. And whatever happens, I’m sure to learn a lot.”

Álvaro Quirós, another local player, confirms the changes.

“The fairways are narrower, but some are still generous. If you miss them, you lose control out of the Bermuda rough. The course is in great shape, and if we are lucky enough to have some wind, it will be a different story.”

After the group photo there was a surprise for Adri Arnaus who turned 29 on Tuesday and blew out the candles with his colleagues. Arnaus looks forward to his return having played the course in his amateur days. 

“I have many good memories of the Copa Sotogrande. The course plays tougher with the high rough. The greens are quite firm for a Tuesday, so that will be the key unless it rains. ”.

This week Adri will keep up his charity initiative in aid of the Gasol Foundation which fights child obesity and promotes healthy habits among children

“I wanted to do something special as we have two tournaments in a row in Spain. I know Pau Gasol very well, so I decided to support his foundation. I donate 100 euro for every birdie I make and 250 for every eagle. Last week I raised around 1800 and hopefully there will be more this week. We are privileged to go around the world doing what we like, and to be able to share something in these tournaments is an honour.”

Rafa Cabrera Bello also played in the Copa Sotogrande and returns after many years.

 “I already liked it a lot back then, but I hadn’t played it after the renovation. I think it’s a great course in top condition. Some holes are very interesting, and if the wind picks up it will be very enjoyable and a great tournament.”

To enjoy the tournament you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

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 de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

For the third year running, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters has shown its commitment to the community that hosts the event by staging a beach cleaning morning on Tuesday 17^th with the support of the San Roque Town Hall and the invaluable cooperation of two DP World Tour stars, Dane Rasmus Højgaard and Spaniard Jorge Campillo. Students and teachers of the Sotogrande International School led the way.

On Tuesday of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters tournament week, 90 pupils and 7 teachers from the Sotogrande International School launched a waste collection morning at Sotogrande beach as part of the DP World Tour Green Drive programme, within the DP World Tour’s Golf for Good initiative. Since its inception with a view to promote social and environmental responsibility and to generate a positive impact on every tournament on the tour schedule, this programme has become a benchmark in the world of sport as it keeps generating effective and successful initiatives.

The DP World Tour has signed up to the United Nations Sports for Climate Action, pledging to reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and to be net zero carbon by 2040.

At the third edition of this activity, two 2023 DP World Tour winners, Rasmus Højgaard and Jorge Campillo acted as role models for the many volunteers who joined forces, especially for golf fans. Both participants in this week’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters set an inspiring example of hard work and environmental commitment.

Once again this year, the students of the International School showed that the future of the environment is in good hands by working enthusiastically alongside the pros. Several local representatives, who also took part in the clean-up, welcomed the initiative and applauded the involvement of the youngsters.

Rasmus Højgaard took the opportunity to speak up in defence of the environment and to call for common sense and responsibility in caring for the planet. “This is a great initiative. I love to see so many children helping to clean up the beach. Personally, I try to always leave the places where I go clean, that’s how I was brought up. When I was at school we also went to clean the beach one day and it was great fun,” said the Dane.

In turn, Jorge Campillo stressed the importance of every effort, however small, to care for the environment. “We must all do our best to improve our environment, and it’s important to make kids aware that keeping beaches clean is good for everyone. I believe that Spain is doing a good job in keeping beaches clean, but the more we all do our bit, the better.”

As in previous editions, the volunteers were rewarded for their efforts and commitment with gifts offered by the organisation of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters to be held from 19 to 22 October at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande featuring a world-class line-up headed by Americans Wyndham Clark and Matt Kuchar, New Zealander Ryan Fox, Italian Francesco Molinari, Scot Robert McIntyre, Pole Adrian Meronk, as well as Spanish defending champion Adrián Otaegui.

To enjoy the tournament you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

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 de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, the new Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters venue, is one of Robert Trent Jones' most prized jewels and his first European course. Demanding and varied, the course runs between cork oaks, pines, palm trees and large lakes, which makes each hole a very different challenge and hides spectacular corners from which to enjoy the best golf in this DP World Tour event.

Although the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a Spanish golf classic about to reach its sixtieth anniversary, many fans will visit it for the first time from October 19-22 to experience the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and should not miss the most strategic and beautiful corners where the title will be decided.

Starting from the first tee, we find a good place to stop at hole 3, a beautiful short par 4 surrounded by cork trees. From the fairway, you can see the approach to the green and, very close by, the hole 4 tee, a par 3 of about 200 meters, and the 15th hole green, a demanding par 4 that has a lot to say in the last stretch of the round. Next is the tee of the 16th, another nice par 4 with a green protected by water on the right.

Not far away is the 6th hole tee, a 484 meters par 5, and, very close, the fans can see the approach to the green of hole 5, the tee of 8th hole, a par 3, or the surroundings of the 7th hole green, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful holes of the course. The 7th hole is a par 4 with water on the right side of the green that will offer a good show if players are looking for a birdie. A catering point and Estrella Damm bar have been installed next to the 6th hole tee, making it an excellent place to stop off without losing sight of the competition.

In the second round, spectators will find another excellent place to watch the decisive holes of the tournament: the area next to the 12th hole tee, par 5, and the 11th green, where another Estrella Damm bar is located. Very close by is also the fairway on the 14th, the last par 5 of the course, and the tee of the 15th hole.

Finally, the 17th hole will be one of the most exciting for spectators. It is a 164-meter par 3 with the green surrounded by water and it could be decisive for the players who are fighting for the victory on Sunday. It is very close to the 16th green and the 18th tee, and it also has a bar and catering service, as well as a giant screen so as not to miss any detail of the leaderboard.

To enjoy all these corners of the spectacular Real Club de Golf Sotogrande you only need to purchase tickets for Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with special prices for federated golfers and free for children under 13, on the event website.

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 de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.