Madrid has a strong field to watch this week. The 2026 Open de España pres. by Madrid brings major champions, Ryder Cup names and a defending champion back to Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid from October 8 to 11.
Marco Penge returns after his 2025 playoff victory, while Ludvig Åberg makes his tournament debut. Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson add plenty of experience. Jon Rahm will be missing after withdrawing on October 6 following the birth of his fourth child, but there is still no shortage of storylines.
What Is Open de España pres. by Madrid?
Spain’s national open dates to 1912 and is the third-oldest golf tournament in Europe. It was also the founding event of the European Tour’s inaugural season in 1972 and has been on the schedule in every season except 2017 and 2020. Its roll of honour includes Arnold Palmer, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Pádraig Harrington, Seve Ballesteros and Jon Rahm. The championship combines that history with strong home interest and significant modern ranking incentives.
The 2026 edition arrives during the Back 9 of the Race to Dubai season. Players are chasing points, Play-Off places, 2027 playing privileges and chances to strengthen their position for PGA Tour dual membership. That gives the event significance for both established stars and rising players.
| Detail | 2026 information |
| Tournament | Open de España pres. by Madrid |
| Dates | October 8-11, 2026 |
| Venue | Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid |
| City | Madrid, Spain |
| Tour | DP World Tour |
| Defending champion | Marco Penge |
| Prize fund | $3.75 million |
| Race to Dubai points | 5,000 |
| Ryder Cup points | 1,500 |
The event is the 16th and final national open on the 2026 Race to Dubai calendar. Patrick Reed entered the week as the season-long leader, while other players are trying to move into the Play-Off picture or protect their 2027 status.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Schedule
The championship uses four rounds of stroke play. Round 1 is Thursday, October 8, followed by Round 2 on Friday, October 9. The cut is made after the second round. Saturday hosts Round 3, and Sunday, October 11, decides the champion. The first two days are split into morning and afternoon waves from the first and 10th tees. Weekend tee times are determined after the cut, with the leading groups generally playing later.
The opening-day groups include Penge with Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose, while Patrick Reed is paired with Eugenio Chacarra and Shane Lowry. Angel Hidalgo, the 2024 champion, starts alongside Thomas Detry and Andy Sullivan. For changing tee times and later pairings, fans should use the official DP World Tour event page.
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid: The Host Course
The Black Course at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid is one of the defining features of this championship. Designed by Javier Arana, the par-71 layout has hosted the national open nine times, as well as other major professional and federation events. The course rewards strategy as much as power. Mature trees can narrow sightlines, tee positioning can influence approach angles, and players need to control their irons while avoiding unnecessary mistakes. That creates an interesting test for a field full of long hitters: distance helps, but disciplined decision-making can be just as valuable.
The Madrid location also gives the tournament a distinctive identity. It is close to the capital rather than set in a resort, yet the mature vegetation creates the atmosphere of a classic championship venue. Fans can watch from grandstands at the 17th and 18th holes and the practice area.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Players to Watch
Marco Penge: Defending Champion
Penge has the clearest storyline because he is trying to win twice in a row. In 2025, he finished 15 under par and defeated Daniel Brown in a playoff. The win completed a hat-trick of victories during his breakthrough season and helped him finish second in the Race to Dubai.
His 2026 campaign has been interrupted by illness and injury, but he has still posted four top-10 finishes worldwide. Returning to the course where he won gives him valuable familiarity.
Ludvig Åberg
Åberg is making his tournament debut and is one of the most recognizable names in the field. His power and ball-striking make him an obvious contender, with the main question being how quickly he adapts to the venue’s strategic demands.
Patrick Reed
Reed began the week leading the Race to Dubai Rankings. The 2018 Masters champion has plenty of big-stage experience and strong motivation to collect points, although he is returning from a wrist issue that forced him to retire from the BMW PGA Championship.
Justin Rose
Rose brings a U.S. Open title, Olympic gold and three Ryder Cup victories. His ability to manage pressure and demanding layouts makes him a major player to watch, and his first-round group with Penge and Garcia is one of the event’s highlights.
Shane Lowry
Lowry arrives after winning the Amgen Irish Open by 11 shots. The 2019 Open champion is making his eighth appearance in Spain’s national open and his third straight start.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia is one of the biggest home-interest names. He won the Spanish Open in 2002 and the Masters in 2017, and his experience makes him a dangerous player on a course he knows well. His group with Penge and Rose is one of Thursday’s marquee combinations.
Spanish Players to Watch
There are 20 Spaniards in the current field. Eugenio Chacarra is especially interesting after winning twice on the DP World Tour this season. Angel Ayora and David Puig represent the emerging group, while 2024 champion Angel Hidalgo has already proved he can win this tournament.
Nacho Elvira, Manuel Elvira, Alejandro del Rey, Pablo Larrazábal, Jorge Campillo and Rafa Cabrera Bello add experience and depth. Jon Rahm is the major absence after his late withdrawal, but Spain still has a strong group capable of contending.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Prize Money and Ranking Stakes
The $3.75 million purse is supported by 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup qualifying points, giving players several incentives to perform well. The Race to Dubai points are especially valuable because the season is entering its final stages. The top 70 qualifying players at the end of the Back 9 advance to the Play-Offs, while the top 50 available players after Abu Dhabi progress to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
There are major-championship rewards too. The champion earns an invitation to the 2027 Masters under the updated qualification criteria. The leading player who is not otherwise exempt and who makes the cut can earn a place in The Open through the Open Qualifying Series. A strong week can therefore improve a player’s earnings, ranking, schedule and access to the game’s biggest tournaments.
How to Watch the 2026 Spanish Open
Live coverage is being produced by European Tour Productions and distributed through DP World Tour partners. The World Feed windows are 12:00-17:00 GMT on Thursday and Friday, 11:30-16:00 GMT on Saturday and 11:00-16:00 GMT on Sunday. In Spain, coverage is on Movistar Golf. Sky Sports covers the United Kingdom and Ireland, while Golf Channel carries the United States and Canada. In India, Sony Sports and SonyLIV are listed broadcasters. SuperSport carries coverage in South Africa and SuperSport Golf Africa in much of sub-Saharan Africa.
Viewers in other markets should check the official television schedule for territory-specific details.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Tickets and Spectator Guide
Fans can attend the tournament in Madrid, with general admission starting at €33. Discounted tickets start at €16.50 for Spanish golf federation members and under-16s. Weekend and tournament passes are also available. Gates open at 8:00 a.m. Private-vehicle access is prohibited, so spectators are encouraged to use public transport or free event shuttles. One main shuttle runs from the roundabout connecting Avenida Complutense and Calle José Antonio Novais, with departures every 15 minutes during the published operating periods. Grandstands are available at the 17th and 18th holes and the driving range. Food and beverage areas are provided in the commercial zone and around selected tees and greens.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Leaderboard, Tee Times and Results
The official DP World Tour event page provides the leaderboard, tee times, entry list and event information. Since the tournament is live from October 8 to 11, this section should be updated throughout the week rather than treated as a fixed preview. The most important checkpoints are the end of Round 1, Friday’s cut, Saturday’s leading groups and Sunday’s final battle. The final entry should add the confirmed winner, score, winning margin and playoff details if applicable. The opening tee sheet illustrates the strength of the field, with Penge, Garcia and Rose together and names such as Reed, Lowry, Chacarra, Åberg, Hatton and Ayora in prominent groups.
History of the Spanish Open
The Spanish Open began in 1912 and is the third-oldest golf tournament in Europe. It was the founding event of the European Tour in 1972, linking today’s DP World Tour directly to its original season. Its champions include Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Pádraig Harrington. Ballesteros won three times, and Jon Rahm also collected three titles, in 2018, 2019 and 2022. Ángel de la Torre holds the record with five victories between 1916 and 1925. Angel Hidalgo won in 2024 before Penge’s playoff success in 2025, adding another chapter to a championship with more than a century of history.
Why Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Is So Important
The 2026 tournament combines a historic national championship with late-season ranking pressure and major-championship opportunities. Reed is protecting a Race to Dubai lead, Penge is defending his breakthrough title and Åberg is making his event debut. Four 2025 European Ryder Cup members are in the field, including Rose, Lowry, Hatton and Åberg, while Spain has 20 players competing.
The timing adds tension. With India and South Korea still to come in the regular season, players have limited chances to improve their positions before the Play-Offs. Others are focused on the top-100 threshold, 2027 playing status or stronger PGA Tour opportunities. That mix of history, star power and consequence makes the Madrid tournament particularly significant.
Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 Predictions and Contenders
Åberg is a logical favorite because of his overall quality, length and ball-striking, although his debut creates an adjustment factor. Rose offers the strongest veteran alternative. For Spain, Angel Hidalgo is a compelling pick after his 2024 victory, while Chacarra’s two wins this season make him another serious threat. Penge cannot be ignored after proving he can win at Club de Campo. These are predictions, not guarantees. The course rewards disciplined play, and late-season pressure can quickly change the leaderboard.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 edition promises to be another memorable chapter in Spanish golf. With a strong international field, leading Spanish contenders, a defending champion seeking another breakthrough, and major ranking implications, the tournament offers plenty for golf fans to follow throughout the week. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid provides a fitting stage for the competition, combining a historic setting with a demanding layout that can reward accuracy, patience, and strong approach play. The presence of players such as Ludvig Åberg, Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry, Sergio García, and Marco Penge adds further depth to an already compelling field.
Beyond the battle for the trophy, the tournament carries important Race to Dubai and Ryder Cup consequences. That makes every round meaningful, particularly for players fighting for rankings, qualification opportunities, and their positions heading into the final stages of the season. For fans watching from home or attending in Madrid, this year’s event has all the ingredients of an exciting tournament. From the opening tee shots to Sunday’s final round, the 2026 Spanish Open should deliver plenty of drama, high-quality golf, and memorable moments.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 tournament runs from October 8 through October 11.
- Club de Campo Villa de Madrid hosts this prestigious Spanish golf tournament.
- Marco Penge returns as defending champion after his dramatic playoff victory.
- Ludvig Åberg headlines an impressive international field making his tournament debut.
- Justin Rose brings major championship experience and Ryder Cup pedigree.
- Patrick Reed enters with significant Race to Dubai ranking implications.
- Sergio García remains one of Spain’s most recognizable tournament contenders.
- Jon Rahm withdrew before the 2026 tournament following his initial commitment.
- The event offers $3.75 million and valuable ranking points for players.
- Fans can follow tournament coverage through television, streaming, and official platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 being played in Madrid?
Yes, Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 is being played at Real Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in the Spanish capital. The tournament runs from October 8 through October 11, 2026. The Black Course is the host layout, and gates open at 8:00 a.m. each day. Spectators can also use free tournament shuttles and public transportation to reach the venue.
Is Open de España pres. by Madrid part of the DP World Tour?
Yes, Open de España pres. by Madrid is a DP World Tour event and one of the circuit’s historic national opens. The Spanish Open was the founding event of the European Tour in 1972 and has appeared on the schedule in all but two seasons since. In 2026, it is the 16th and final national open on the Race to Dubai calendar, adding late-season importance.
Is Jon Rahm playing in Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026?
No, Jon Rahm is not playing in Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026. The three-time champion withdrew on October 6, shortly before the event, following the birth of his fourth child. Rahm won the Spanish Open in 2018, 2019 and 2022, so his absence is a major storyline even though the current field includes several major champions and a strong Spanish contingent.
Is Marco Penge defending his title at Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026?
Yes, Marco Penge is defending his Open de España pres. by Madrid title in 2026. He won the 2025 event in a playoff against Daniel Brown after both finished at 15 under par. That victory was Penge’s third of the season and helped him finish second in the Race to Dubai. He now returns to the Madrid course seeking back-to-back titles and another big ranking boost.
Is Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 offering $3.75 million in prize money?
Yes, Open de España pres. by Madrid 2026 carries a $3.75 million prize fund. The event also awards 5,000 Race to Dubai points and 1,500 Ryder Cup points. Those incentives make the week important for players chasing the season-long standings, Play-Off qualification and stronger 2027 positions. The champion also receives an invitation to the 2027 Masters under the updated criteria.