Wind was the big challenge on the opening day of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, especially for the afternoon starters, with gusts of up to 30 mph. Despite these conditions, defending Champion Adrián Otaegui made the most of an early start by carding a flawless six-under 66, two shots behind Englishman James Morrison (-8) and one behind German Nick Bachem (-7).

“It was a very good day from tee to green and I felt very good on the course. I gave myself lots of chances, didn’t miss many shots, didn’t miss many greens. The few greens I missed, I managed to make up and down so it was a very positive day for me.

We had a bit of everything today. The conditions were good for the first four or five holes but the wind was gradually growing. The last nine holes, for the back nine, were getting difficult and it looks like it’s going to keep getting windy in the afternoon,” said Otaegui after his round.

The Spaniard praised the course setup:

“It’s perfect. I found the greens a bit soft at the beginning of the week, but otherwise some pins would be unplayable wit this wind. The grass is excellent on fairways, roughs and greens, so thumbs up for the green keeping team.”

First round leader James Morrison shot a superb eight-under 64 also in the morning.

“I knew the draw was going to be that way and we got more holes in this morning with no wind than we actually thought we were going to get in, so we had to make hay while the sun was shining and I did that. I’m happier now with the wind and the rain starting to pick up on the last hole there.”

The Englishman, a two-time DP World Tour winner, claimed the Open de España in 2015.

“Spain’s been very, very good to me over the last 14 years. I’m guessing it’s the free-pouring gin and tonics that do it for me, which is the main thing, and the ham, obviously. I love coming here, it suits my eye. Most courses inherently aren’t as long as we play on Tour so they’re more positional sort of golf courses.”

World number 10, American Wyndham Clark, carded a two-under 70 in his first round on Spanish soil.

Three more Spaniards finished under par on Thursday: Adri Arnaus (-3), Jorge Campillo (-1) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (-1), both Jorge and Rafa more than pleased to have broken par in the gusty afternoon conditions. 

Play was suspended at 19:21 due to darkness. Players will complete the first round on Friday from 9:10. Tee times for the second round remain unchanged from 8:40 on holes 1 and 10.

INSIDE THE ROPES

Wind and greens challenge Wyndham Clark

Reigning U.S. Open Wyndham Clark, posted a creditable round. World number 10 had to deal with tricky gusts of wind and greens too slow for his liking.

“It was a tough day but shooting two under is a good round for the conditions. Just in the middle part of the round I just really struggled with the wind. I like to think I’m a pretty good wedge player but three wedges I missed the green and two of them I made a bogey and that was all wind-related. It was fair with the windy conditions but for me it was a little slow. I’m used to a little bit faster greens,” said the American after his round.

Campillo and Cabrera Bello beat the course in tough conditions

Both Spaniards have shown their resilience by shooting under par on Thursday afternoon.

“Conditions were on the limit, but I enjoyed my round. The last two or three holes were pretty hard, but it was worse in Scotland with rain on top of it,” said Campillo.

Cabrera agreed: “The Tour has done well not stopping play as the ball barely moved on some occasion. It is true that we got the worst part of the day, but we have played many times with this same wind.”

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande boasts an impressive winners’ list

Besides staging its first DP World Tour event, the Club hosts the prestigious Sotogrande Cup whose winner’s list includes the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry or Padraig Harrington.

Winners of the Sotogrande Cup playing the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters this week are Francesco Molinari, Julien Brun, Nino Bertasio, Marcel Siem, Guido Migliozzi, Todd Clements and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo.

To enjoy the event you only need to  purchase tickets for the 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.

- This is the ninth edition of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters since its inaugural edition in 2010.

- Winner list: Graeme Mc Dowell (2010) Sergio García (2011, 2017 y 2018), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (2019), John Catlin (2020), Matt Fitzpatrick (2021) and Adrián Otaegui (2022). 

- The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters features 126 competitors and offers $3,750,000 in prize money. This is the biggest purse to date for any DP World Tour event held in Spain.

- DPWTR points: 4,250.

- Defending champion Adrián Otaegui, 30, is ranked 99th in the world and 38th in the DP World Ranking. The Spaniard has four titles to his name with EDAM2022 as his most notable win.

- 27 nationalities across 5 continents are represented in the field: 16 from Europe, 5 from Asia, 3 from America, 2 from Oceania and 1 from Africa.

- The most represented country is Great Britain with 33 players (21 English, 10 Scottish, 1 Welsh, and 1 Northern Irish), followed by Spain with 17.

- Current US Open champion Wyndham Clark is in the field. The American, now ranked 10th in the world, would move up to 9th with a win in Spain. Also in the field  is nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar, four-time member of the American Ryder Cup team that lifted the trophy at Hazeltine in 2016

- Also playing in the tournament ̶ in addition to Francesco Molinari, vice-captain at the last Ryder Cup ̶  is Robert MacIntire, member of the winning European team in Rome. The rookie from Scotland went undefeated, scoring 2.5 points in three matches.

- In the field, two Rolex Series winners this season: Victor Perez (Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship) and Ryan Fox (BMW PGA Championship).

- In the field, four two-time winners this season: Adrian Meronk (ISPS Handa Australian Open and DS Automobiles Italian Open), Thriston Lawrence (Investec South African Open Championship and BMW International Open), Ockie Strydom (Alfred Dunhill Championship and Singapore Classic) and Pablo Larrazábal (Korea Championship and KLM Open).

- In the field, other winners this season: Dan Bradbury (Joburg Open), Daniel Gavins (Ras Al Khaimah Championship), Thornbjorn Olesen (Thailand Classic), Marcel Siem (Hero Indian Open), Jorge Campillo (Magical Kenya Open), Matthew Baldwin (SDC Championship), Nick Bachem (Jonsson Workwear Open), Simon Forsstrom (Soudal Open), Tom Mckibbin (Porsche European Open), Dale Whitnell (Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed), Daniel Hillier (Betfred British Masters), Rasmus Hojgaard (Made In HimmerLand), Daniel Brown (ISPS HANDA World Invitational), Todd Clements (D+D Real Czech Masters) and Matthieu Pavon (acciona Open de España).

- The participants in the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters have won 23 titles this season.

- A Spanish winner this week would be Spain’s 206th win in Tour history.

- Two players have scored a hole-in-one in the history of the tournament: Oliver Wilson (2011) and Lorenzo Gagli (2020) both on 12 at Real Club Valderrama.

- In the eight editions held up to date, two albatros have been recorded: Joost Luiten (2017) on 11 and Haydn Porteous (2019) on 17, both at Real Club Valderrama.

- Officially opened in 1964, Sotogrande was the first course RobertTrent Jones Sr. designed in Europe and is blessed with his design philosophy, which consists of building courses perfectly integrated with the natural surroundings which are a great challenge to the better players, but accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

- In its inaugural year, Sotogrande held the Spanish Open won by Argentinian Roberto de Vicenzo. In 1987 it staged the Spanish Professional Championship won by Seve Ballesteros.

- Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a 6492 metre par 72.

- The course makes its debut as DP World Tour venue this week.

- The Real Club de Golf Sotogrande hosts the prestigious Sotogrande Cup whose winner’s list includes the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington or Francesco Molinari, the latter playing this week.

- Other winners of the Sotogrande Cup playing the EDAM2023 this week are Julien Brun, Nino Bertasio, Marcel Siem, Guido Migliozzi, Todd Clements and Spanish amateur Jaime Montojo.

- Also in the field are three runner-ups in the Sotogrande Cup: Romain Langasque, Lukas Nemecz y Carlos Pigem.

- This is the 65th DP World Tour event staged in Andalucía, including the 1997 Ryder Cup.

At different stages of their career, Francesco Molinari and Adrián Otaegui have many things in common, such as their hard-working spirit and excellent memories of Sotogrande. Defending champion Otaegui won the last edition of the Estrella Damm Andalucía Masters, while Molinari won the 2004 Copa Sotogrande which launched him into professional golf.

Both players are delighted to return to a course that inspires them.

“I must say that I’m in love with Sotogrande. The course is in top condition. The ball rolls nicely and the greens are receptive in case the wind blows. I believe they made some very good changes,” declares Otaegui.

Both agree that it is a very technical course. 

“You have to think your way, not only off the tee but also into the greens. Sometimes you must forget about the pin and aim for a safe place. There are also some holes where long hitters can let go, like both par fives on the back nine,” he explains.

For Molinari, the main difference with the course he played as an amateur is the change of grass: “I really like the course, it’s very technical. The change of grass is a big improvement. The rough around the greens is now very difficult, so it’s a very good test. The conditions are perfect for the tournament.”

As for form, their expectations differ on the eve of the tournament. While Otaegui feels ready to defend his title: “I’ve rested for two weeks before Madrid, I’m in good shape”, Molinari is fighting to regain his 2018 form, when he won the Open and the BMW PGA Championship. “I changed my whole team and I’m working really hard ahead of next season. I haven’t competed for almost a month, but I hope to get off to a good start and gain confidence, “he says.

Covid and other circumstances had a negative impact on his performance: “The pandemic hurt me. My coaches were of a certain age and stopped travelling. I moved to the US and tried to build a new team, but things didn’t work out the way I wanted. That’s golf, there are good and bad moments. I’m working on my long game which used to be my strong point, and I need time to get back to my best.”

Both Otaegui and Molinari have tried hard to make it to the Ryder Cup team. “I kept my chances until the very end. I did the job as best I could and didn’t slip back at any point during the season, so I’m satisfied with that” says Otaegui.

Molinari believes that he had options until Scotland. “But I also realised that I wasn’t competitive. The level of the players is very impressive and I wouldn’t want to be there without the level. I had a great time being vice-captain and the team winning in Italy was huge for my brother and for me. “

Molinari and Otaegui know that hard work is the best foundation for a solid career

“I see myself reflected in Adrian’s determination to improve. If he keeps it up, he will win a lot of tournaments” says the Italian.

“Francesco is a very solid player, and it’s a big compliment to be compared with him. Life goes in stages and Francesco can win this week or any other tournament, he’s not that far away,” replies the Spaniard.

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.

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.