Open de Espana 2024 preview: Jon Rahm returns to European Tour action in Ryder Cup push

Jon Rahm goes in search of a third Open de Espana title.

Team Europe’s hopes of retaining the Ryder Cup received a huge boost as Jon Rahm officially appealed against his DP World Tour sanctions.

The two-time major winner will now tee it up at the Open de Espana this week, before making further DPWT appearances at the Dunhill Links Championship and the Andalucia Masters next month.

These three starts, combined with his Olympic appearance, mean the Spaniard will achieve the four starts needed to keep his tour membership active and therefore in contention to make Luke Donald’s 2025 team.

Rahm is fresh off the back of winning the LIV Golf Individual Championship during his debut season on the Saudi-backed tour, claiming an $18m bonus in the process. A three-time winner of the event – 2018, 2019, and 2022 – the 29-year-old will be aiming to surpass Seve Ballesteros and claim his fourth victory at the tournament.

One of the oldest tournaments in golf, the Open de Espana was first held in 1912, being played sporadically until 1939. Since 1940, the tournament has been held in all but four years. Spaniards have enjoyed plenty of success, winning 39 of the 96 titles on offer throughout the competition’s history.

Last year, Matthieu Pavon broke a four-year streak of Spanish winners by claiming his first win on tour, prevailing over Zander Lombard by four strokes at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in the capital.

Where is the Open de Espana being played?

Club de Campo Villa de Madrid will once again host the Open de Espana, having done so for the previous four tournaments. Various courses have held the event throughout its history, including Valderrama and PGA Catalunya Resort.

The par-71, 6,970-yard Black course was designed by Javier de Arana, opening in 1956. Aside from the Open de Espana, the course has also hosted other tour events such as the Spanish Open and the Madrid Masters.

Despite not being overly long, Arana’s design still tests the players off the tee with driving accuracy paramount. The greens at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid also provide a stern challenge. Through the first nine, the greens tend to be tiered perpendicularly to the line of play. Whereas on the back nine, the putting surface is more difficult, which could set up a dramatic finish if plenty of players are in with a shot at the title.

What is the format of the Open de Espana?

The format of the Open de Espana is a standard strokeplay event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (two rounds). The player with the lowest score over four rounds will win the tournament.

Who is in the field for the Open de Espana?

Rahm won’t be the only LIV Golfer in the field this week as he will be joined by his Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton. The Englishman is set to play just his second DPWT event since joining LIV back in January after a tied-18^th finish at the British Masters at the start of the month.

Elsewhere, fellow Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry will tee it up in Madrid, while Patrick Reid also has an invitation to compete at the tournament.

There is naturally a large Spanish contingent set to take part this week. Aside from Rahm, the likes of Pablo Larrazabal, Jorge Campillo, and Adrian Otaegui, among others, will be present at the event.

The full field for the 2024 Open de Espana can be found here.

Who will win the Open de Espana?

Selected odds: TBC

How much will the winner of the Open de Espana receive?

While the prize funds for the previous two events have been $6m and $9m respectively, the Open de Espana has ‘just’ $3.25m on offer this week. The winner will take home a cheque for just over $500k, 5,000 Race to Dubai points, and 1,500 Ryder Cup points too.

Who has won the Open de Espana?

How to watch the Open de Espana

Viewers in the UK can watch the Open de Espana on Sky Sports Golf.

All times BST

Thursday, 26 September: Sky Sports Golf, 13.00

Friday, 27 September: Sky Sports Golf, 13.00

Saturday, 28 September: Sky Sports Golf, 06.00

Sunday, 29 September: Sky Sports Golf, 06.00

Viewers in the US can watch all four days of the Open de Espana on the Golf Channel.

All times EDT

Thursday, 26 September: Golf Channel, 08.00

Friday, 27 September: Golf Channel, 08.00

Saturday, 28 September: Golf Channel, 08.00

Sunday, 29 September: Golf Channel, 07.00

Open de Espana: Tee times and groupings

Tee times and groupings will appear here when announced.

About the Author

Ross Kilvington – Contributing Golf News Writer

Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who currently writes previews for Today’s Golfer, covering events on the DP World, PGA, and LPGA tours along with the LIV Golf Series.

Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of 6 means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little longer.

Despite first picking up a club aged 11, highlights are few and far between on the golf course.

An Eagle on the par-4 16th at Kinghorn is one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards).