John Rahm secured the 182nd European Tour win by a player from Spain at the Open de España last week, and with just 182 days until the second European Tour event of the year on Spanish soil gets under way, early bird tickets for the Andalucía Valderrama Masters are on sale now at europeantour.com/tickets.
Home fans gathered in their thousands in Madrid on Sunday to see Rahm become the second successive Spanish player to win a European Tour event on home soil, after Sergio Garcia capped off a stunning year with victory at the 2017 Andalucía Valderrama Masters. Now all eyes turn once again to the famous Real Club Valderrama, which will host the event on October 18-21, 2018.
Garcia delighted Spanish fans with an emotional victory in Sotogrande last year, as he sealed his third win of the season to add to his maiden Major title at the Masters Tournament as well as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic trophy.
The home hero continued his love affair with the venue – where he became the first Spaniard to win a European Tour stroke play event in 2011 – as he lifted the trophy at the end of a week in which he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of both the European Tour and Real Club Valderrama.
“Winning in Valderrama was very special. It’s difficult to describe what it meant to win at home, at one of my favourite golf courses and in front of my family and the Spanish fans,” said Garcia, speaking after his victory in 2017.
“It was a great week, I was happy with my game and particularly with my attitude. I kept patient and made sure that the bad shots didn’t affect me too much. To win in Valderrama you have to be very patient, you have to love the place. And I love Valderrama.
“The spectators were unbelievable all week, many came out and enjoyed it not only because I won, but because they saw some great golf thanks to Joost’s Luiten and all the players.
“2017 was an amazing year both for me and for Spanish golf. As for me, it was probably the best year in my career.”
Early bird tickets for the 2018 Andalucía Valderrama Masters are just €8 for the Pro-Am on Wednesday October 17, €12 on Thursday and Friday of the tournament and €20 on Saturday and Sunday. Children aged under 14 are admitted to event free of charge when accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Tickets are available now at europeantour.com/tickets
