2023 Open de Espana Preview, Picks & Analysis

JON RAHM is assured of a hero’s welcome when he returns to home soil to defend his Open de Espana title this week. Last year he emulated his hero, Seve Ballesteros, by winning the tournament for a third time, and, fresh from helping Europe to win the Ryder Cup, he is desperate to claim a fourth victory.

It is a huge boost for the DP World Tour to have Rahm in the field.

Following back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019, he produced the lowest score in tournament history in front of home fans in 2022, charging to a remarkable nine-under 62 in the final round to win by six shots on 25 under-par. His dominant display included eight birdies, one bogey, and a near-albatross on the par-five 14th. He settled for an eagle on that hole, and with a comfortable cushion birdied his final two holes on the way to matching a feat his idol took his entire career to achieve.

It was the first of two memorable victories the Spaniard achieved at the end of 2022, which he rounded out with a third win at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and a fifth Rolex Series title.

And, of course, the 28-year-old has carried that scintillating form into 2023, winning three PGA Tour titles in five starts before triumphing at Augusta National in April to add a second major title to his collection, after becoming the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Open in 2021. He also briefly climbed to the top of the world rankings.

Now, he returns to the Spanish capital of Madrid, hoping to successfully defend his title for a second time.

“I’m very happy to be back in Madrid for the Open de Espana,” said Rahm.“It's always incredible to play in front of your home crowd and I'm excited to defend my title at Club de Campo. To equal Seve’s record of wins at this tournament was truly special to me and I hope to put on a great show for the fans.”

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Held just two weeks after the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, the Open de Espana will be staged at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid for a fourth year in a row.

Rahm will return to Madrid hoping to take a step closer to the tournament win record of Angel de la Torre, who won five times between 1916 and 1925. And who would bet against him? Not me.

He will be joined in Madrid by fellow Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose and this is a golf course that should suit the Englishman. It is a course that calls for straight hitting and a strategic approach and there are few better equipped to meet the challenge than Rose.

Don’t be surprised to see several Spaniards on the leaderboard. Rafa Cabrera Bello is former winner, Pablo Larrazabal is enjoying a fine season and simply adores playing in front of his fellow countrymen, and Adri Arnaus is one of the best ball strikers on the DP World Tour.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by James Morrison, in 2016 by Andrew Johnston, in 2018, 2019 and 2022 by Jon Rahm and in 2020 by Rafa Cabrera Bello. There was no tournament in 2017.

The Course

Club de Campo Villa Madrid is a par 71 measuring 7,121 yards. Opened in 1956, it was designed by Javier de Arana. It is tree lined and puts a premium of accuracy from the tee.

Form Guide

It is difficult to see beyond Jon Rahm, who is going for his fourth win. He has been in sensational form all year and was one of the stars for Europe in the recent Ryder Cup.

To Win:

Jon Rahm. Who else?

Each Way:

Justin Rose. Course is perfect for him

Each Way:

Tom McKibbin. Hugely gifted

Five to Follow:

Jon Rahm. Will have passionate support

Justin Rose. Enjoying a return to form

Tom McKibbin. Young man with a big future

Pablo Larrazabal. Proud Spaniard

Adri Arnaus. Having a decent season