The fans who are already hanging out at Valderrama waiting for the starting gun, from this Friday to Sunday, are chasing Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau – among others, because the cast of stars per square metre is fabulous – as far as the limits allow them, excited to see two of the best golfers in the world up close, just a few metres away, some swings that open mouths in unison and make anyone snort with envy. Both know, in any case, that this course is not for hitters, but for players with talent and skill, very technical, capable of improvising shots pulled out of a hat. “You can hit three shots and be in front of a tree,” Rahm summed up, happy to play on a course with tradition and history, heraldic because since 1988 the famous Volvo Masters was played there and then it became part of the heritage of the European Tour, also the venue of the historic Ryder Cup of 1997 because Seve Ballesteros, then captain of the European team against the North American team, managed to export it from the British Isles. Now, it is one of the 14 venues of the LIV, the circuit that coexists with the PGA Tour until they shake hands, a peace treaty announced but not sealed.
Valderrama is an oasis of nature, surrounded by more than 2,000 cork oaks, 360 different species of flora and 167 species of fauna, including 105 birds. But golfers suffer from the trees. “It is a unique and special course that has been created among these trees,” says Phil Mickelson, winner of six tournaments. majors“You have to be careful because it’s a strategic course,” adds Open winner Henrik Stenson. “Even though most people think it’s not for me, I think it’s a great course to play strategically,” adds DeChambeau, last year’s runner-up. “There will be shots that go to strange places and shots that you have to hit through trees. You have to have your irons ready here and you have to be careful.” puttear “very good.” Abraham Ancer, Sergio García’s teammate, says: “I would love to play courses like Valderrama every week. You have to be precise from the start tee and meticulous to achieve green”
With the grass in top condition – “I have never seen it this good, it is perfect,” Rahm concluded – Valderrama is the 29th course on the list of the 100 best venues in the world, according to the magazine’s latest ranking. Golf Digestwhich puts Royal County Down of Northern Ireland at number one – the birthplace of Saint Andrews in Scotland – in ninth place. The LIV Andalucía, a world tournament for skilled players, is underway.
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