Andalucia Masters 2024 Preview, Picks & Analysis

When Jon Rahm made his stunning move to LIV Golf, one of the reasons he cited for doing so was his desire to play less and spend more time with his family. And yet here he is playing for a third week in four on the DP World Tour at the Andalucia Masters at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande.

With this appearance he will have done enough to retain his tour membership - while appealing against the fines and suspension imposed upon for defecting to LIV. And that means he will remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection in 2025. It is all highly unusual.

And Rahm is certain to start this tournament as a warm favourite. He will form part of a strong Spanish challenge.

Spanish golfers Adri Arnaus, Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira, Pablo Larrazabal and Rafa Cabrera Bello will return to their home country for the tenth edition of the Andalucia Masters.

The tournament, which returns to the picturesque Real Club de Golf Sotogrande after a successful first staging in 2023, is the penultimate event of the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’ as players hope to secure their spot in the DP World Tour Play-Offs. 

Former Ryder Cup player Cabrera Bello, whose last DP World Tour victory came at the Open de Espana in 2021, is relishing the prospect of playing in front of Spanish crowds again as he targets more success on home soil.

"I’m excited to have the chance to play on home soil in front of big crowds," he said. "The fans are really supportive of us during the event, and there is always a great atmosphere during the week. Winning in Madrid was an unbelievable feeling, and I would love to win again in front of my home fans.

"Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is a special golf course and a test that we are all looking forward to taking on. It’s going to be another memorable week and I’m very excited to get there in October."

Nine-time DP World Tour winner Larrazabal is targeting success on home soil for the second time in his career having triumphed at the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain in 2022.

"Sotogrande is a special golf course, and it is a terrific venue," said Larrazábal. "I’m fortunate enough to have won on home soil in the past, but to win in Andalucía in front of the home crowds would be very special."

Three-time DP World Tour winner Campillo, who won last year at the Magical Kenya Open en route to earning dual membership with the PGA Tour, is excited to return to Spain at a pivotal time on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai.

"It’s going to be amazing to return home and play the Andalucia Masters at such an important time in the season for us," said Campillo. "The course looks fantastic so I can’t wait to tee it up in Sotogrande and hopefully I can improve on my top 20 finish from last year. I have never won in Spain and that has always been a goal of mine."

Elvira has enjoyed a consistent campaign, missing just one cut in nine starts on the DP World Tour this season, with his best finish being a tie for second at the Magical Kenya Open.

The 37-year-old secured his maiden DP World Tour victory at the Cazoo Open in 2021. "I’m very excited to play in the Andalucia Masters again," he said. "It’s always special to play in Spain and I’m really looking forward to it. This event gives us the opportunity to play on one of the best courses in Spain and it is going to be a great week."

Arnaus earned his DP World Tour playing privileges after securing victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final to finish second on the Rankings in 2018, and he has not looked back since.

The 29-year-old went on to claim a maiden DP World Tour title on home soil at the Catalunya Championship. "I’m excited to have the chance to play at home in front of some big crowds. I had a great experience at Sotogrande last year and I finished in the top 20," he said. "I won my first DP World Tour title in Spain at the Catalunya Championship, and it was one of the best moments in my career. It is going to be another memorable week and I’m very excited to get there in October."

Rolex Series winners Victor Perez, Thorbjorn Olesen and Matt Wallace are also in the field.

Perez, who claimed his maiden Rolex Series title at the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, is looking forward to returning to Sotogrande having finished in a tie for ninth last year on his way to earning dual membership with the PGA Tour for 2024 after finishing inside the top ten on the Race to Dubai Rankings .

"There are some great events at the back end of the Race to Dubai and the Andalucia Masters is one of them," said Perez. "I had a good finish here last year and the course was in fantastic condition. I’m looking forward to heading to Sotogrande in October at an important time of the season."

Wallace, who ended a six-year wait for his fifth DP World Tour title at the Omega European Masters, is hoping to continue his strong recent form after qualifying for the DP World Tour Play-Offs, which concludes with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

"I always enjoy competing in Spain and I'm excited to tee it up at the Andalucia Masters," said Wallace. "It was great to win at the Omega European Masters recently and I’m looking forward to competing for another title on the DP World Tour. It’s a great time for the Tour. Sotogrande is a brilliant course I’ve heard so much about and I'm really looking forward to it."

Olesen claimed his eighth DP World Tour win earlier this year at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and the 2018 Ryder Cup winner is now targeting a strong finish to the Race to Dubai season.

"I’m really looking forward to returning to Spain," he said. "It’s a country I love playing in and the fans are always incredible. Sotogrande boasts a great history, and I know the atmosphere will be pretty special this year. Hopefully I can put in another strong performance at a crucial time in the Race to Dubai season."

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2017 and 2018 by Sergio Garcia, in 2019 by Christiaan Bezuidenhout, in 2020 by John Catlin, in 2021 by Matt Fitzpatrick, in 2022 by Adrian Otaegui and last year by Adrian Meronk.

The Course:

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande is par 72 measuring just 7,099 yards. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1964 and was his first course in Europe. It was also one of his favourites. It features 100 bunkers, undulating greens and wide, tree-lined fairways.

Form Guide:

Jon Rahm finished on top of the pile at the end of LIV’s season and then came within a whisker of winning the Open de Espana and also played well at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship - it is difficult to see beyond him this week.

Prize Money:

The tournament has a total prize fund of $3,250,000, with the winner collecting around $600,000 and 710 Race to Dubai points.

How to Watch:

Thursday, October, 17 Sky Sports Golf, 1pm

Friday, October 18,  Sky Sports Golf, 1pm

Saturday, October 19,  Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm

Sunday, October 20 Sky Sports Golf, 10am

To Win:

Jon Rahm. Red-hot favourite

Each Way:

Matt Wallace. Having a fine season

Each Way:

Victor Perez. Wonderful short game

Five to Follow:

Jon Rahm. Will be very hard to beat

Matt Wallace. A winner in Europe again

Victor Perez. Terrific ball striker

Thriston Lawrence. World class

Thorbjorn Olesen. Ready for another win

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Marco Penge. Time is running out for the big hitter

Alvaro Quiros. Popular Spaniard

Scott Jamieson. Better than his record suggests

Fabrizio Zanotti. Looking to relight the fire

Francesco Laporta. Looks to have done enough to keep his card