Spanish Open / Open de España 2026: What to Expect

Spanish Open / Open de España 2026: What to Expect

The Open de España presented by Madrid returns this week with one of its strongest fields in years.

Spain’s national open takes place from Thursday 8 October to Sunday 11 October 2026 at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Åberg, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and defending champion Marco Penge among the headline names.

There is plenty at stake beyond the trophy as well. The tournament carries valuable Race to Dubai and Ryder Cup points, while the winner receives places in both The Masters and The Open in 2027.

The simple version: a historic national open, a stacked field, Jon Rahm chasing Spanish golf history and a win that comes with two Major Championship invitations.

When Is the Spanish Open 2026?

The 2026 Open de España takes place from:

• Thursday 8 October
• Friday 9 October
• Saturday 10 October
• Sunday 11 October

It is the seventh event in the DP World Tour’s nine-event Back 9, meaning the season is now entering the stage where Race to Dubai positions, Play-Off qualification and playing rights become increasingly important.

Where Is the Open de España Played?

The tournament is held at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in the Spanish capital.

The Black Course was designed by renowned Spanish architect Javier Arana and has become the regular home of the Open de España, hosting the event every year since 2019.

The venue has also staged numerous other European Tour and Spanish federation events over the years.

It is not an overly long modern championship course where players can simply overpower everything.

Club de Campo asks for:

• Accurate driving
• Good distance control
• Smart positioning
• Strong iron play
• Patience around small greens
• Confidence on sloping putting surfaces

There are birdies available, but poor positioning can quickly make straightforward-looking holes much harder.

What Is Club de Campo Villa de Madrid Like?

The Black Course has a traditional feel.

Tree-lined fairways, strategically positioned bunkers and relatively small greens mean players need to think their way around rather than simply hit driver everywhere.

One of its most recognisable features is the opening hole.

The first is a long par four played from an elevated tee, with Madrid’s skyline visible in the distance. It has historically played as one of the most difficult holes on the course, with a narrow landing area, trees to the right and a fairway bunker waiting on the left.

The closing stretch can also produce plenty of movement.

The 17th is a demanding par three to one of the smallest greens on the course, while the 18th presents players with a genuine strategic decision from the tee.

That should make Sunday interesting if several players are within a few shots of the lead.

Who Is Playing in the Open de España 2026?

The 2026 field is unusually strong for a standard DP World Tour national open.

Confirmed names include:

• Jon Rahm - Who has since withdrawn
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Ludvig Åberg
• Justin Rose
• Shane Lowry
• Patrick Reed
• Sergio García
• Francesco Molinari
• Bubba Watson
• Nicolai Højgaard
• Marco Penge

Alongside them is a deep group of Spanish players, including Eugenio Chacarra, Ángel Hidalgo, David Puig, Nacho Elvira, Manu Elvira, Ángel Ayora, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Alejandro del Rey, Josele Ballester, Jorge Campillo and Pablo Larrazábal.

That gives the tournament a much stronger feel than a normal week on the schedule.

Jon Rahm Chasing Spanish Open History

On Wednesday 7th October it was announced that Jon Rahm has pulled out of the

• 2018
• 2019
• 2022

He also finished runner-up to Ángel Hidalgo in a play-off in 2024.

A fourth victory would move Rahm ahead of Seve Ballesteros, who won the Spanish Open three times during the DP World Tour era.

The overall tournament record belongs to Ángel de la Torre, who won five times between 1916 and 1925.

Rahm has also produced one of the most dominant performances in the event’s history.

His 2022 victory came with a tournament-record total of 259, 25 under par.

If he is anywhere near contention on Sunday, the atmosphere around Club de Campo should be significant.

Marco Penge Returns as Defending Champion

Marco Penge returns to Madrid as the defending champion.

The Englishman won the 2025 Open de España after beating fellow Englishman Dan Brown in a play-off.

Penge had reached 16 under through 54 holes before a difficult final round brought the field back towards him. He and Brown eventually finished tied at 15 under before Penge birdied the first extra hole.

The victory became one of the defining moments of his breakthrough season.

It was his third DP World Tour win of 2025 and helped secure his route onto the PGA Tour.

It also earned him places in The Masters and The Open.

Now he returns trying to become a back-to-back Spanish Open champion.

Tyrrell Hatton Returns to Madrid

Tyrrell Hatton is another major name worth following.

Hatton returns to Club de Campo after finishing inside the top ten on his previous appearance in 2024.

His game should suit the course.

He is generally strongest when a layout rewards precise approaches, good course management and the ability to score without needing to overpower every hole.

Hatton also has considerable DP World Tour experience and arrives as another player capable of winning immediately if his putting behaves.

Patrick Reed Has More Than the Trophy to Play For

Patrick Reed arrives in Madrid in an interesting position.

He is currently leading the Race to Dubai, giving him plenty to play for as the season moves towards Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The Open de España offers 5,000 Race to Dubai points in total, with 835 available to the winner.

One strong week could therefore strengthen Reed’s position considerably.

A poor one could allow Rory McIlroy and the players behind him to close the gap.

That gives Reed’s week in Madrid more importance than simply chasing another tournament victory.

Ludvig Åberg and Justin Rose Add More Quality

The addition of Ludvig Åberg and Justin Rose significantly strengthens the field.

Åberg brings one of the most complete modern games in golf.

He is long enough to create opportunities but controlled enough to suit a course where positioning matters.

Rose offers something different.

He has decades of experience, a U.S. Open title, Olympic gold and a strong Ryder Cup record. Courses requiring disciplined iron play and smart positioning generally suit his style.

Both were confirmed late in the build-up to the tournament and turn an already strong field into one of the best Open de España line-ups in recent years.

Three Major Champions Join the Field

Patrick Reed is not the only Major winner heading to Madrid.

Francesco Molinari and Bubba Watson are also playing.

That gives the field three very different Major-winning styles.

Reed brings short-game quality and aggressive match-play style competitiveness.

Molinari is built around precision, control and course management.

Watson brings power, creativity and the ability to shape shots in ways very few players can.

Club de Campo should expose the differences nicely.

The Spanish Players to Watch

The Spanish field goes much deeper than Rahm and García.

Eugenio Chacarra

Chacarra arrives as one of the strongest home contenders.

He has enjoyed an excellent season and currently sits near the top of the Race to Dubai standings.

Playing in Madrid should only increase the attention around him.

Ángel Hidalgo

Hidalgo already knows what winning this tournament feels like.

His 2024 victory came after defeating Rahm in a dramatic play-off, making him an obvious player to watch whenever the Spanish Open returns to Madrid.

He also arrives in good form after finishing runner-up at the recent Open de France and securing his place in the 2027 Open Championship at St Andrews.

David Puig

Puig continues to develop into one of Spain’s strongest younger players.

He has already shown a liking for Club de Campo, producing several strong finishes in Madrid.

Nacho and Manu Elvira

The Elvira brothers are both having strong seasons.

Nacho has already won this year, while Manu came close to a major breakthrough at the BMW PGA Championship.

Ángel Ayora

Ayora is another young Spanish player worth watching.

He has already shown he can contend against established DP World Tour fields and adds another name to what is becoming an increasingly deep generation of Spanish golf.

Recent history is also on their side: Spanish players have won five of the last seven editions of the tournament.

Sergio García Is Back Too

Sergio García adds another major Spanish storyline.

He has already won the Open de España during his career and remains one of the most recognisable Spanish golfers of his generation.

Putting Rahm, García, Chacarra, Hidalgo, Puig and the Elvira brothers in the same national-open field gives Spanish fans plenty of options to follow.

It also increases the chances that the trophy stays at home again.

How Important Is the Open de España?

The Open de España is one of Europe’s oldest national championships.

It also holds an important place in DP World Tour history.

The tournament has been part of the Tour schedule since its first official season in 1972 and has produced winners including:

• Arnold Palmer
• Seve Ballesteros
• Bernhard Langer
• Sir Nick Faldo
• Sergio García
• Jon Rahm

That history gives the Spanish Open more identity than a standard tour stop.

It is not a Major.

But it is a national open that players genuinely want on their CV.

What Does the Winner Get?

The obvious answer is the Open de España trophy and a significant DP World Tour victory.

But in 2026, there is much more attached to winning.

The champion receives invitations to:

• The Masters 2027
• The Open Championship 2027

This is the second consecutive year that winning the Spanish Open provides direct routes into both Majors.

For players who are not already exempt, that could completely change their 2027 season.

A golfer could arrive in Madrid without a Major start secured and leave four days later knowing they are going to Augusta and The Open.

That makes Sunday far more significant for some of the less-established names.

Race to Dubai Points

The Open de España is part of the DP World Tour’s Back 9.

There are:

• 5,000 Race to Dubai points available
• 835 points to the winner
• 1,500 Ryder Cup qualification points available across the event

The tournament also carries a $3.75 million prize fund.

For players around the top-70 and top-100 boundaries, Madrid could be one of the most important weeks of the year.

The top 70 qualifying players after the Back 9 progress to the first Play-Off event in Abu Dhabi.

The top 100 are also trying to secure strong playing status for 2027.

Ryder Cup 2027 Qualification Is Already Under Way

The 2027 Ryder Cup may still be nearly a year away, but qualifying has already started.

That makes the Open de España relevant beyond the immediate DP World Tour season.

The tournament carries 1,500 Ryder Cup points, giving European players another opportunity to move towards Luke Donald’s eventual team for Adare Manor.

Players such as Rahm, Hatton, Åberg, Rose, Lowry, Højgaard and several Spanish contenders will therefore be building towards something bigger than just Madrid.

What Score Could Win?

Predicting a winning score at Club de Campo is not straightforward.

Rahm reached an extraordinary 25 under when he won in 2022.

But the course can play considerably harder when the greens firm up and the rough becomes more demanding.

Penge and Brown finished at 15 under when last year’s championship went to a play-off.

Rahm also commented after the 2025 event that the firmer setup, small greens and difficult pin positions made the course much more demanding than the raw yardage suggests.

That is probably the key.

If conditions remain soft and calm, expect plenty of birdies.

If Club de Campo is firm and the rough is up, patience and approach accuracy become much more important.

What Type of Player Should Suit the Course?

Club de Campo should favour players who combine enough distance with good control.

Useful strengths include:

• Accurate driving
• Strong approach play
• Distance control with mid-irons
• Reliable short game
• Good putting on sloping greens
• Patience when flags are tucked away

It is not simply about bombing driver.

Players who repeatedly miss the correct side of the fairway or green can find themselves scrambling for par very quickly.

That is why golfers such as Rahm, Hatton, Rose, Molinari and Penge all make sense around here for different reasons.

Where to Watch the Open de España in the UK

UK viewers can watch the tournament live on Sky Sports Golf.

Sky’s current listings show:

Thursday 8 October

• Sky Sports Golf from 1:00pm
• Sky Sports Main Event from 3:00pm

Friday 9 October

• Sky Sports Golf from 1:00pm
• Sky Sports Main Event from 3:00pm

Saturday 10 October

• Sky Sports Golf from 12:30pm

Sky had not yet published the Sunday time in its current listing when this preview was prepared, so check the schedule closer to the final round.

Sky subscribers can also stream through Sky Go, while NOW provides access without a traditional Sky TV contract.

If You Are Attending in Madrid

Spectators can enter the course from 8:00am each day.

Private vehicle access is not permitted, with organisers encouraging spectators to use public transport or the tournament’s free shuttle services.

Grandstands are available around:

• The 17th hole
• The 18th hole
• The driving range

There are also food and drink areas around several points of the course.

That setup should make the closing holes particularly good places to watch if the tournament is tight on Sunday.

What to Watch For

Rahm Chasing a Fourth Title

This is probably the biggest story.

A fourth Spanish Open victory would take Rahm beyond Seve Ballesteros in the DP World Tour-era record.

Can Penge Defend?

Penge comes back as champion after his breakthrough 2025 victory.

Going back-to-back would further establish Madrid as one of his favourite places.

The Spanish Challenge

Rahm may dominate the headlines, but Chacarra, Hidalgo, Puig, García, Ayora and the Elvira brothers give the home crowd plenty of realistic contenders.

Reed and the Race to Dubai

Reed currently leads the standings.

Every point matters as Abu Dhabi approaches.

The Major Invitations

Keep an eye on players without existing exemptions.

For some of them, winning on Sunday could mean their first trip to Augusta as well as a place in The Open.

Ryder Cup Points

Several European stars are already building towards Adare Manor in 2027.

Madrid is another chance to move up the qualification standings.

Is the Spanish Open the Same as the Open de España?

Yes.

Open de España literally means Spanish Open.

The tournament’s official current name is:

Open de España presented by Madrid

UK golf fans will often search for or refer to it as the Spanish Open.

They are the same tournament.

Is the Open de España a Major?

No.

The four men’s Majors are:

• The Masters
• PGA Championship
• U.S. Open
• The Open

The Open de España is a DP World Tour national championship.

It does, however, now offer a direct route into two Majors for its winner, which makes it increasingly important.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Open de España should be one of the better DP World Tour events of the autumn.

It takes place from 8–11 October at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, with one of the strongest fields the tournament has assembled in recent years.

Jon Rahm is chasing a fourth Spanish Open title.

Marco Penge is trying to defend.

Patrick Reed arrives leading the Race to Dubai.

And players including Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Ludvig Åberg, Justin Rose, Sergio García, Francesco Molinari and Bubba Watson add serious depth.

Then there is the extra incentive.

Win the Open de España and you do not just leave Madrid with a national-open trophy.

You also book your place at The Masters and The Open in 2027.

That should make Sunday worth watching.