With only fifty days left to go until a new Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, the buzz continues to grow about this DP World Tour tournament that will take place from October 13-16 at a Real Club Valderrama accustomed to host the best events on the international schedule. As in previous editions, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters will offer its unique character to the spectators who opt for enjoying it live.

There are just a handful of golfing events that combine personality and tradition; that are inextricably linked in the minds of fans to a historic venue; that offer, year after year, a "who's who" of the best in the sport. In this tournament sponsored by Estrella Damm and Andalucía, the Real Club Valderrama always acts as a fair and demanding judge, an essential sieve to highlight the best, and you only have to take a quick glance at the list of winners to find a collection of major champions and sense the challenge this event represents.

Last year it was Matt Fitzpatrick who won brilliantly and added lustre to his trophy cabinet before the endorsement of his 2022 U.S. Open title at The Country Club in Brookline. The Englishman shared the first two rounds with Jon Rahm, his predecessor as winner at the U.S. Open, and Rafa Cabrera-Bello, champion of the last Spanish Open.

In 2020 it was American John Catlin who won one stroke ahead of double major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany, while in 2019 South African Christian Bezuidenhout established himself among the golfing elite thanks to his victory at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters against a quintet consisting of Spaniards Jon Rahm, Adri Arnaus, Álvaro Quirós and Eduardo de la Riva and Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera.

Of course, the tournament's honour roll features Sergio García, winner of the 2017 Masters Championship and three-time champion at Valderrama. In 2011 he edged out Malaga's Miguel Ángel Jiménez, winner of a historic Senior Open Championship at St Andrews in 2018, by one stroke, while in 2017 he beat the battle-hardened Dutchman Joost Luiten and in 2018 he overcame the resistance of Shane Lowry, who went on to win the Open Championship at Royal Portrush the following year.

Finally, we cannot forget Graeme McDowell, who won at Valderrama in 2010 shortly after winning the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and shining in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor that year by making the decisive putt that gave Europe the victory.

With this background, it would not be surprising if the winner in 2022, in an edition marked by the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Ryder Cup held in 1997 at Valderrama, is another of the top players in international golf.

To enjoy this great show, the comprehensive ticketing offer includes individual day tickets, four-day and weekend passes, with preferential rates for federated golfers and free entry for children under 13. Tickets can be purchased at edamgolf.es, from the Tickets menu on the tournament website or at the DP World Tour 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 Valderrama, 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.

Just eighty days left to enjoy a spectacular line-up at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a DP World Tour event which will take place from October 13-16 at Real Club Valderrama. In addition, until August 1^st fans will be able to take advantage of the special launch prices from just €15.

With Matt Fitzpatrick’s win in recent memory, the best course in Spain will host for the eighth time the Spanish tournament with the highest purse on the Tour schedule. The Real Club Valderrama, which holds the record for the most DP World Tour events hosted in our country, will receive a new edition on the 25th anniversary of the Ryder Cup held in 1997 in the jewel of Sotogrande, a landmark date that was a turning point in the development of golf in our country.

As 25 years ago, spectators will be able to walk the impeccable scenery of the Cadiz course following the stars of the tour and enjoying a unique setting. Last year, for instance, the last two U. S. Open champions, Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick, and the champion of the last Spanish Open, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, were together in the first two rounds and put on a great show for the fans.

Once again, the comprehensive ticketing offer includes individual day tickets, four-day passes and weekend passes, with preferential rates starting at just €15 for or federated golfers and free entry for children under 13. Tickets can be purchased at edamgolf.es, from the Tickets menu on the tournament website or at the DP World Tour website.

Last year, more than 36,000 spectators experienced this unique show on the best course in Spain, a figure that is sure to be exceeded this year thanks to the spectacular combination of attractions offered by the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and its venue, the Real Club Valderrama.

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, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

Tickets are now on sale for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, a golf event that will gather the best DP World Tour players at Real Club Valderrama from October 13-16. The Sotogrande gem, the best course in Spain according to the most prestigious golf rankings, will host the eighth edition of the Spanish tournament with the highest prize money on the DP World Tour this season.

The flexibility of the ticketing offer allows choosing between individual tickets for each day, four-day passes or weekend passes, with preferential rates for federated golfers and free entry for children aged twelve and under. With tickets starting from €15, you can share the experience with your family and friends and get closer than ever to some of the top golfers on the DP World Tour this October. Tickets can be purchased from the Tickets menu on the tournament website or at the DP World Tour website.

The stellar line-up, the unbeatable setting of Real Club Valderrama (which has already hosted twenty six DP World Tour events and was the first course in continental Europe to receive the Ryder Cup in 1997) and the spectacular weather in the area are assets that, once again, will guarantee a unique and ideal show for all audiences.

Last year, Rydercupper Matt Fitzpatrick won his seventh DP World Tour title in style as he overturned a three-stroke deficit in the final round of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters played at the Real Club Valderrama.

Once again, the jewel of Sotogrande offered an impeccable presentation and hosted a great field headed by the world number one, Jon Rahm, for the title and the highest prize purse of a Spanish tournament on the DP World Tour 2021 schedule. The quality of its players and the unparalleled setting attracted more than 36,000 spectators who enjoyed a unique event on the best course in Spain.

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, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.

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England’s Matt Fitzpatrick has claimed the coveted Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters trophy with a brilliant display of patience and tactics at Real Club Valderrama. Fitzpatrick, the highest ranked player competing on Sunday found the right targets and kept his cool when his birdie putts failed to drop. While he posted par after par his rivals faltered, and he was able at last to make back to back birdies on 16 and 17 to take the lead.

With overnight leader Laurie Canter moving backward, it was Sebastian Soderberg who held the lead for much of the round after a brilliant start, but the Swede collapsed in the final stretch.

The two-time Ryder Cup player capped his bogey-free 2-under par 69 for a three shot win, and got a standing ovation from the fans on the final green. He becomes the first English winner in the seven editions of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, and the sixth in 26 European Tour events played in Valderrama along the years. This means a lot to him.

“It's on the bucket list to win round Valderrama with the history that it has. To do it bogey free on Sunday as well is extra special. I'm delighted. It’s amazing, particularly the way I did It - very patient all day, didn't try to press anything, stuck to our targets and managed to hole the putts at the end. I'm delighted with the win.

There isn’t a breather hole out here. 16 is a tough driver, 17, disaster can happen, 18, par is a great score. That was how I felt all day. I felt if I could hang in there, hang around and pick up a couple of birdies if possible, pars were never a bad thing, and that’s what I did.”

With this win, his seventh European Tour title, Fitzpatrick moves to fifth on the Race to Dubai Rankings and into the top 25 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Pablo Larrazábal, the best Spaniard at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters finished 20^th (+1) after breaking par on Sunday. Alejandro Cañizares, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Sebastián García Rodríguez share 25^th place (+2).

INSIDE THE ROPES

Strong institutional support for the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters

The vice-president of the Junta de Andalucía and Regional Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration, Juan Marín, attended the last day of the tournament to show his support for an event that he considers fundamental to showcase Andalucía in the media all over the world.

Marín highlighted the contribution of the tournament to the Andalusian economy due to its capacity to attract national and international tourists "with medium-high purchasing power, with a long stay and who tend to travel several times a year and help us to fight seasonality".

The Vice President of the Junta de Andalucía considers the golf sector to be fundamental at a time of recovery in the tourism sector. "When others were betting on not holding certain events, we showed that they could go ahead despite the circumstances." This effort is now paying off by consolidating Andalusia as a venue for major competitions.

Marín was pleased to state that "after difficult period the summer has been good and the autumn much better than expected. We are now reaching occupancy levels that exceed our expectations", as reflected in the occupancy figures for the recent Columbus long weekend of around 90% or 95% in coastal areas and over 78% in inland provinces.

The unforgiving 17^th

Once again, the famous par five played a crucial role in the outcome of the event. Sebastian Soderberg stood on the 17^th tee two shots clear, looking for his second European Tour victory with four birdies, an eagle, and only two bogeys on his card. However, a lost tee shot opened the door to his rivals in the final stretch. He played a provisional ball and three putted for a painful double bogey. Another bogey on the last relegated him to share the second place with Min Woo Lee.

Winners perform in Valderrama

Defending champion John Catlin said goodbye to Valderrama on a positive note. The American went round in 67 (-4), the joint best score of the day along with Gavin Green, to finish tied eleventh.

Andrew Johnston, who claimed the 2016 Open de España on this course, carded a final round of 69 (-2) to finish tied fifteenth.

Much more than a great putter

Although Matt Fitzpatrick is renowned as one of the best putters on Tour, his performance at Valderrama made it clear that the Englishman has a lot of magic in his bag beyond the putter  ̶  and his irons worked wonders.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work on my irons, me and my coach Mike Walker. Maybe I don’t give him enough credit but he’s the best in the business in my opinion. He spends hours and hours looking at my swing, trying to get things right, finding little things we can improve on. There’s so much credit to give to him on the things we’ve worked on and change, to improve them. It showed this week.”