Rahm and Lowry seek Spanish Open; Mixed Q-School fortunes for Rice and Carey
Jon Rahm is targeting a record-breaking fourth Open de España presented by Madrid title when he tees it up in his national open this week.
The Spaniard is currently tied with the late Seve Ballesteros on three wins since the event joined the DP World Tour schedule in 1972, and he will be looking to continue his enviable Open de España record at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid this week.
The two-time Major Champion, who makes his first start since contributing three points to Team Europe’s historic Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black ten days ago, has never finished lower than 17th in the Open de España, winning on his first two appearances in 2018 and 2019, before picking up his third title in 2022.
“Being part of a Ryder Cup is something so unique, so special, especially winning away. It's incredible,” Rahm said. “It's an incredible feeling. But then coming to Spain, an vent that matters so much to me, hoping to win for the fourth time.
“Hard to put it into words, right. May not be the biggest event in the world but to me it's one of the biggest.
“I would say after watching Bob MacIntyre win in Scotland playing at home is a huge positive. From going to having the crowd against us to having everybody cheer for me is going to be very special.
“Massive difference, massive juxtaposition but beautiful in a different way.
“I'm looking forward to it. Looking forward to hopefully getting that fourth Spanish Open. And again, hoping to actually just perform well in front of this crowd.
“They have been so good to me, they have been so supportive, the least I can do is give many my best shot and hopefully I'm there on Sunday to win it.”
He came close to claiming his fourth title in 2024, but was defeated in a play-off by countryman Angel Hidalgo as the 27-year-old won his maiden DP World Tour title with a birdie on the second extra hole.
His victory was the fifth by a home winner in the last six editions of the event and Hidalgo is relishing the chance to perform in front of local fans again.
“Just a lot of emotions to be here again,” said Hidalgo, who will play with Rahm and Lowry. “Step on the course again and remember things happened last year but at the same time, I just want to arrive on Thursday and tee off.
“Last year there was a lot of people following me the first few rounds but not as many as I suspect this Thursday.
“We'll see how it feels, how my nerves are and I will try to control them as best as I can. I will try to enjoy at the same time.
“You only try to retain the trophy for the first time once and especially in your home country will be special. Just try to enjoy the week and see what we can do.”
The strong Spanish contingent, which includes 2017 Masters Champion Sergio Garcia and 2025 Race to Dubai winners Eugenio Chacarra and Alejandro del Rey, is complemented by 2019 Open Champion and Ryder Cup winner Shane Lowry.
The Irishman holed the putt that retained the Ryder Cup for Team Europe in New York last month, and returns to the Open de España for the second consecutive year this week.
“This is obviously a great tournament and it's got great history and to put my name on that trophy with some legends of the game would be pretty cool,” Lowry said.
The six-time DP World Tour winner, who has four top 15 finishes in this event, tees it up in the first of back-to-back events in the Back 9before heading to the DP World India Championship next week.
“Even sitting in the players' lounge this morning having breakfast people coming up want to go talk about it,” Lowry said. “It's pretty cool. I always love coming back to play in Europe and get to see all my old friends. It's nice to feel the love.
“I've had an amazing week. Obviously what happened is pretty cool. It's what dreams are made of, really. I'm sure there's going to be a little come down at some stage.
“But it's nice to be back on the horse this week here in Spain. Nice to get back out, compete, and quickly, and try to forget a little bit about what happened.
“But it will be hard. It's something that I never foresaw myself doing. So you don't know how you're going to handle it. Like I said week of the Ryder Cup, just be myself and see how it goes.”
The historic Open de España title is not the only prize on offer this week, with exemptions to the 2026 Masters Tournament and The 154th Open on offer.
The winner of the Open de España presented by Madrid, if not already exempt, will earn an invitation to The Masters, while the highest finisher not already exempt who makes the cut will earn a spot at Royal Birkdale next year.
“Yeah, I think what they have done is pretty cool,” Lowry said. “I'm exempt and totally forgot about it until somebody asked me about it earlier.
“But I think for the people that are not exempt, it's a huge carrot there at the end of the week. It will probably bring a bit more pressure than a normal week, but I think a great championship like this deserves it.”
Mixed fortunes at Q-School for Rice and Carey
At the First Stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School, Tim Rice was six strokes outside the top 17 and ties who qualify at halfway.
A two over 74 at Golf PGA France du Vaudreuil left him tied for 48th on one over.
At the First Stage of the Korn Ferry Qualifying School at Bar Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, California, David Carey was tied for fifth on seven under after a second round 69.
The projected qualifying mark stands at four under.
