Matt Fitzpatrick in the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits (credit © Getty Images)

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Matt Fitzpatrick and Bernd Wiesberger will add further star power at this year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters as the 2020 Ryder Cup players confirmed they will be teeing it up at Real Club Valderrama from October 14-17.

Fitzpatrick, who played in his second Ryder Cup last month at Whistling Straits, will be returning to Valderrama after his first appearance in 2019, while Wiesberger, the first player to represent Austria on Team Europe, will return after his debut in the event last year.

The pair join World Number One Jon Rahm and fellow Ryder Cup players Thomas Bjørn, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Martin Kaymer in the field at the second of three consecutive events taking place on Spanish soil.

“Valderrama is a great course and I’m looking forward to coming back,” said Fitzpatrick, who won his sixth European Tour title at last year’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. “It’s a tricky layout and you really need to keep the ball in play; it’s a test I think we’re all looking forward to.”

Bernd Wiesberger, first Austrian on Ryder Cup Team Europe (credit © Getty Images)
Bernd Wiesberger, first Austrian on Ryder Cup Team Europe (credit © Getty Images)

Eight-time European Tour winner Wiesberger said: “I really enjoyed playing at Valderrama last year. It’s a course with a lot of history and it’s a fantastic test of golf.

“It has been a great year for me with the win in Denmark and playing in the Ryder Cup. I hope to keep this momentum going and finish the season with some strong performances.”

Two-time Major Champion Kaymer finished runner-up to American John Catlin, who will return to Real Club Valderrama to defend one of three European Tour titles he won in the space of just eight months. After triumphing in Spain, he won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open three weeks later and then won the Austrian Golf Open in April this year.

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, Hero, Rolex y Santander Private Banking. Callaway, Cinco Jotas, Enterprise, Gadira, Kyocera, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, Marca, the Real Federación Andaluza de Golf, SO/ Sotogrande, Varma and Volvo are official suppliers.

2021 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters Beach Clean-up poster

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Beyond the results, the champions who have triumphed in the six editions held to date, and the spectacle enjoyed by the fans at the Real Club Valderrama, Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters has always been characterised by its commitment to the environment and local communities. Once again this year, the event, which will take place from October 14-17 on the beautiful Sotogrande course, will be accompanied by various initiatives that enhance its essence, starting with the beach clean-up at Playa de Torreguadiaro next Tuesday from 10 h.

Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters is proud to be part of the European Tour Green Drive, delivering its vision to showcase social and environmental responsibility and deliver net positive impacts in sustainability. In this case, the action scheduled for the morning of October 12th will have an immediate and visible effect, as volunteers will be collecting rubbish and microplastics in this wonderful environment of the San Roque coastline.

Almost 8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters every year in the oceans via different means and its presence is extremely harmful for biodiversity since it’s directly contributing towards the reduction and extinction of marine wildlife. The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters team have organised this Beach Clean-Up with a simple goal: to try to collect as much plastic and waste as possible to help keep our beaches and oceans clean and safe for all.

Besides, the volunteers will be helped by local stars Alejandro Cañizares and Santi Tarrío, and will see their efforts and commitment rewarded because the first 200 participants will receive a grounds access ticket for Saturday 16th October at the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama. Volunteers just need to show up at the Registration area by the flags on Playa de Torreguadiaro.

Another initiative launched in 2020 by European Tour officials remains in recent memory, the Golf for Good program that raised €100,000 for four local charities, with money pledged for every birdie and eagle made on the iconic 17th hole at Real Club Valderrama. It is also worth mentioning the efforts of the Sergio García Foundation in previous editions to support entities such as the association Por Una Sonrisa, an NGO that brings illusion, happiness and hope to children and adolescents affected by cancer in hospitals in the area.

All these initiatives make it clear that the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters transcends the barriers of sport and strengthens the ties between golf and society.

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, Hero, Rolex y Santander Private Banking. Callaway, Cinco Jotas, Enterprise, Gadira, Kyocera, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, Marca, the Real Federación Andaluza de Golf, SO/ Sotogrande, Varma and Volvo are official suppliers.

Martin Kaymer returns to the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters (credit © Getty Images)

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Ryder Cup stars Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn will return to one of Continental Europe’s most renowned courses later this month at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

Former World Number One Kaymer has made no secret of his desire to win at Real Club Valderrama, citing the course as one of his favourite layouts, while Bjørn made his Ryder Cup debut under the captaincy of Seve Ballesteros at the venue in 1997 – a journey which culminated in him leading Europe to glory 21 years later.

Two-time Major Champion Kaymer  was runner-up at last year’s event, finishing one stroke behind American John Catlin.

The pair join current World Number One and two-time Ryder Cup player Jon Rahm and 2016 Ryder Cupper Rafa Cabrera Bello in the field at the popular tournament, which takes place from October 14-17.

“Since the first time I played this course in 2007, it has been a career goal of mine to win at Valderrama,” said Kaymer. “Coming so close last year has only added fuel to that fire and I’m really looking forward to having another chance to return to Sotogrande later this month.

“I’ll never forget my first practice round at Valderrama. It was just me and a golf trolley and it was one of the most enjoyable rounds I’ve ever played.”

Bjørn is Denmark’s most decorated golfer, with 15 European Tour victories and three winning Ryder Cup appearances as a player to his name, and he returned to the winner’s circle earlier this year, earning his first Legends Tour title at the Irish Legends hosted by Paul McGinley. He can’t wait to return to Real Club Valderrama once again.

“Valderrama is one of the best courses in Europe and I always enjoy coming back,” said the Dane. “1997 was the start of an amazing relationship with the Ryder Cup and being part of an incredible team with so many of my heroes is such a special memory – those memories come flooding back every time I visit.”

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.

Jon Rahm teeing off in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters 2019 (credit © Real Club Valderrama)

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Golf is a sport in which symbols are paramount, but this does not mean that it turns its back on modernity. Both professionals and amateurs are aware of the power of certain trophies (for example, the claret jug from the Open Championship or the green jacket awarded at the Masters), which are a permanent fixture in the mind of every self-respecting golfer. In the same way, the victories achieved in the most exclusive settings, such as the courses in the Open Championship rota, the most important venues of the U. S. Open, or jewels such as the Real Club Valderrama, have an additional significance in the list of winners and in the memories of those who achieve them. That is why a victory at Real Club Valderrama is such a prized and sought-after prize, especially for Spanish golfers. That's why Jon Rahm and the rest of the Armada have marked the dates between October 14-17, when the next Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters will be held, on their calendars.

The jewel promoted by Jaime Ortiz Patiño in Sotogrande, however, resisted the Spaniards for a long time. Three years after its inauguration it hosted the Volvo Masters, the historic closing event of the European Tour schedule, but luck did not smile on the Spanish professionals. In the first edition, in 1988, Seve Ballesteros came close to victory, which Nick Faldo finally got. After that, the ace from Pedreña, José María Olazábal, José Rivero and Miguel Ángel Jiménez fought for the title on numerous occasions in a tournament that was played 16 times at Valderrama. In 1999, Jiménez also fought in the American Express Championship, in which the golfer from Churriana finished second only to the stellar Tiger Woods after a thrilling playoff.

Subsequently, and without forgetting Carlos Rodiles' second place in the 2003 Volvo Masters and the repeated attempts by José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez to win the title in that tournament, Sergio García took over on what he has always considered his favourite course. The golfer from Borriol has 14 top tens (two at the American Express Championship, six at the Volvo Masters, one at the Open de España and five at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters) in the 15 European Tour tournaments he has played at Valderrama, and he also holds the record of being the first golfer to win three individual events at this course (the 2011, 2017 and 2018 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, known as the Andalucía Valderrama Masters until 2019).

The titles won at the Real Club Valderrama, a demanding judge, came always against top-class opponents. After battling with Graeme McDowell, champion in the 2010 edition, García managed in 2011 to translate his taste for the Cadiz course into victory in an intense duel with Miguel Ángel Jiménez, which culminated in a celebration that is still remembered today. In 2016 came his third place at the Spanish Open, also played at Valderrama, just two strokes behind Andrew "Beef" Johnston, a prelude to the titles he won in 2017 and 2018, holding off Joost Luiten and Shane Lowry, respectively.

After playing his first tournament as a professional in Spain at Valderrama in 2017, Jon Rahm came into the 2019 edition eager to take on the challenge of Robert Trent Jones' design again and fought off South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout, the winner on that occasion, right to the end. Rahm finished second tied with Spaniards Adri Arnaus, Alvaro Quiros and Eduardo de la Riva and Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera, while the inevitable Sergio Garcia signed a new top ten on the San Roque course to finish seventh.

The world number one's logical goal at the 2021 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters: to climb a place on the podium and join Ryder Cup partner Sergio García as the second Spanish winner at Real Club Valderrama.

"Ian Poulter gave me some good advice and that is that four rounds under par at Valderrama is a top 10. The difficulty at Valderrama is from tee to green, although the greens are also like those at Augusta because of how true the ball rolls. They are spectacular. Thank God we have courses like this, short courses where the drive doesn't come into play so much," said Jon Rahm on his visit to the tournament in 2019.

It is worth remembering that the origin of the Barrika-born golfer's career is also in Valderrama, as some of his father's friends were at the 1997 Ryder Cup, encouraged him to play and the whole Rahm family ended up signing up for Eduardo Celles' school. It is not the only fond memory Rahm has of the Sotogrande course.

"In 2007 I went to a Volvo Masters and got my shirt signed by Stenson and Casey. The first shot I saw was Thomas Bjorn's bunker shot on the 7th and I also saw Ian Poulter. Those are four players I've shared the Ryder Cup with since. If soomebody had told me then, I wouldn't have believed it.

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.

(From left to right) José María Zamora, Jorge Villavecchia, Manuel Muñoz, Nuno de Brito e Cunha and Jaime Salaverri toast at the end of the event (credit © Luis Corralo)

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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.

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