Golf is taking to the streets. Golf is coming to the people of Madrid. Year after year, the ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid stages an event that marks the start of the championships: the tournament presentation. It is a competition that puts Madrid in the global spotlight and, as always, the Spanish capital is getting ready to tell the world that sport in general, and especially golf, are essential pillars in its approach to life.
CIVITAS METROPOLITANO
Four years ago, the tournament presentation was held at Civitas Metropolitano. The stadium, which had only opened for business two years earlier, also bore witness to a golf shootout in which balls were hit from the stands into the centre of the pitch. The fun battle between Jon Rahm and the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, ended in a tie.
CLUB DE CAMPO VILLA DE MADRID
In 2021, the presentation took place at the tournament venue; Club de Campo Villa de Madrid hosted the event. Jon Rahm, the then world number one, and Luke Donald, the recently victorious European Ryder Cup captain, represented the players. Overlooking the 18th green, with spectacular views of Madrid, the tournament enjoyed a stunning inauguration in a year in which Rafa Cabrera Bello would take the spoils.
MADRID CITY COUNCIL
While at previous editions of the tournament, the pre-event press conference was a resounding success, last year’s backdrop was simply unbeatable; the Madrid City Hall. Tommy Fleetwood, one of Europe’s heroes at the Ryder Cup this year, joined Jon Rahm and Rafa Cabrera Bello as they enjoyed one of the city’s most historic buildings and the rooftop with the best views of Madrid’s skyline. A few days later, Rahm would equal Seve Ballesteros’ haul of three Open de España titles.
This year, the tournament presentation will be making a return to Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.