Spanish Open History

Background

Founded in 1912, the Spanish Open golf tournament (also known as Open de España) is one of the oldest Open championships in continental Europe. The Spanish Open has been a permanent fixture on the European Tour calendar since its inception in 1972.

The Spanish Open has seen a number of golf champions appear on its leaderboard. Distinguished former champions include Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Nick Faldo. Host nation Spain last scooped the title when Sergio Garcia won the tournament in 2002 and is hoping for another win on home soil.

Throughout Spanish Open history, a number of records have been set. Spaniard Angel del la Torre scored the most wins at six and the most consecutive wins at three in the history of the tournament. In fact, the Open de España had the lowest cut ever at 138 (-6) in 2003 over the history of the European Tour.

The Spanish Open in 2003 will also go down in golf history with the most players tied for the lead going into the final round of an event – six – all on 197 (-19). The players were: Paul Casey, Kenneth Ferrie (eventual winner), Søren Hansen, Simon Khan, Santiago Luna and Spanish amateur Pablo Martin.

The venue for the Spanish Open or Open de España has changed over the years and is now being held at the Centro Nacional de Golf in Madrid. Opened in 2005, it played host to the Spanish Open for the first time in 2006. With its newly designed course, the Centro Nacional de Golf looks likely to keep competition tough with its longer holes and extended tees.

Past Winners

See our full list of previous Spanish Open winners from 1912 into the new millennium. Track how host nation Spain has appeared on the leaderboard over the decades.

Who will make Spanish Open history this year?

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