The Open de España golf tournament moves forward at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid despite the absence of star player Jon Rahm, who remained in Arizona awaiting the birth of his fourth child. Twenty Spanish golfers compete in the event, bolstered by a strong international contingent including Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Ludvig Aberg.
López-Chacarra Offers Strong Fantasy Value Despite Toe Injury
- Eugenio López-Chacarra commands strong fantasy value this week as the highest-ranked Spanish player in the field, despite managing a fractured right toe.
The Armada Steps Up in Madrid
With Rahm missing—having won the national championship in 2018, 2019, and 2022—the spotlight shifts to the remaining Spanish contingent. Rahm’s withdrawal removes the headliner from a stellar international roster that features defending champion Marco Penge alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari, and Nicolai Hojgaard. To maintain his membership and eligibility for the upcoming Ryder Cup, Rahm committed to playing five events this season, leaving him scheduled for the upcoming Abu Dhabi and Dubai season-closers.
In Rahm’s absence, Eugenio López-Chacarra carries the mantle as the highest-ranked Spanish golfer in the world rankings. Sitting third in the Race to Dubai, López-Chacarra arrives in Madrid with a fractured right toe sustained at his Oklahoma home when he accidentally struck the corner of a piece of furniture. Despite the injury affecting his mobility, he expressed confidence in his current form. López-Chacarra has begun working on his statistics with Edoardo Molinari, the analytics guru for the European Ryder Cup team.
Course Conditions and Star-Studded Pro-Am
Recent weather added a distinct tactical challenge to the Madrid layout, with the course absorbing more than 50 liters of rain over the preceding hours. The resulting thick rough and extended yardages tested both professionals and celebrity guests during the Wednesday pro-am. Figures including former footballer John Terry, Juan Carlos Ferrero, former footballer Luis Figo, Carlos Sainz, and Risto Mejide walked the heavy, moisture-rich fairways ahead of the official professional tee times.
| Golfer | Tour / Status | Notable Open de España Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Rahm | LIV Golf | Absent (awaiting birth of fourth child); three-time champion (2018, 2019, 2022). |
| Eugenio López-Chacarra | Top-ranked Spaniard in the field; third in the Race to Dubai; playing through a toe injury. | |
| Sergio García | LIV Golf | Targeting future Champions Tour eligibility and a potential 2027 Ryder Cup role. |
| Marco Penge | Defending champion in the elite international field at Club de Campo. |
The deep Spanish entry list—featuring Ángel Hidalgo, the Elvira brothers, Pablo Larrazábal, Josele Ballester, David Puig, Ángel Ayora, and seasoned veterans—provides a formidable competitive backbone for the tournament. Official tournament play commenced with morning rounds at 8:40, as the capital venue showcases global golf talent alongside its homegrown contingent.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
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