Valderrama to host Spanish Open

Thomas Bjorn in action in the Andalusian Open in 2010.

The European Tour has announced that Valderrama will stage the Spanish Open for the first time in April, with the Sergio Garcia Foundation as official host of the event at the course in Sotogrande, southern Spain.

Valderrama will host the opening tournament of the European season from April 14-17, with 2 million euros ($2.25 million) of prize money on offer. This means that the Spanish Open will be the first event immediately after the Masters in August.

Garcia, who has won 11 times on the European Tour and has been in five victorious Ryder Cup teams, launched his foundation in 2002.

"This is a whole new way of working together with the European Tour and I am very proud to be a part of it," he said in a statement.

"I personally have great memories of the golf course, having won the Andalucia Valderrama Masters there in 2011 and I am sure that all the players who tee up in April will enjoy testing their game against the fantastic layout."

Valderrama was the first Spanish course to host the Ryder Cup back in 1997, and the first time the Ryder Cup had ever been played in mainland Europe.

The European team won the competition by a margin of 14½ to 13½ to retain the famous trophy.

The Europeans held a 10½–5½ lead heading into the final day, but the Americans mounted a comeback by winning the singles matches 8–4 but fell just short.

This was the first of five consecutive victories at home by Europe, a streak that remains intact after success at Gleneagles.

For more news on Royal Portrush hosting the 2019 Ryder Cup click here or on the imge below.