The European Swing gets under way this week as the DP World Tour heads to Spain for the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship.
Here are your five things to know.
Back in Europe
After straddling continents last week in Türkiye, the DP World Tour is back to where it all started this week. Spain was the host of the first ever DP World Tour - then European Tour - event in 1972 so it is fitting that it is where the 2026 European Swing gets started. The fourth of five Global Swings on the 2026 Race to Dubai, the European Swing consists of six counting events - four of which are national opens - with the US PGA Championship and U.S. Open also happening within the same timeframe. The player who accrues the most Race to Dubai Rankings points across the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, Soudal Open, Austrian Alpine Open presented by Kitzbühel Tirol, KLM Open, DS Automobiles 83° Open d’Italia and BMW International Open will be crowned Swing champion and gain access to every event in Phase Two of the season - the Back 9 - and a US$200,000 bonus. There is also a place available at the Genesis Scottish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the season, to the highest-ranked player not exempt.
Local stars set to shine
Spain has long been one of the world's great golfing nations and this week local heroes will take centre stage, with a string of established and rising stars searching for home glory. Nacho Elvira has already won in 2026 and will be hungry for more, as will fellow winners in recent seasons Eugenio Chacarra, Alejandro del Rey, Angel Hidalgo and Pablo Larrazábal. In-form Angel Ayora is searching for his first win while Jorge Campillo - a three-time DP World Tour champion - is also having a strong season on the Race to Dubai. Add in Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello, Elvira's brother Manuel and a host of other Spanish stars and the local fans should have plenty to cheer.
A historic venue
This week we return to Real Club de Golf El Prat and the Catalunya region, with both rich in DP World Tour history. Between 1978 and 2015, El Prat staged 11 events across two tournaments and now, over a decade after James Morrison lifted the trophy at the 2015 Open de España, it is back for a 12th appearance. The late, great Seve Ballesteros has twice been a winner at the club - albeit in its previous location - at both his national open and the Barcelona Open. European greats Sam Torrance and José María Olazábal have also tasted victory and the last time this event was held in 2022, Adri Arnaus lifted the trophy. That was at Camiral - then known as PGA Catalunya - and in 2031 that venue will bring golf's ultimate spectacle to the region, with Spain hosting its second Ryder Cup.
Remembering Seve
For many people, when they think about Spanish and European golf, they will think about Severiano Ballesteros. Winner of a record 50 DP World Tour events, including five Majors, and a Ryder Cup talisman, he passed away on May 7, 2011, the day of the third round of the Open de España at El Prat. The 15th anniversary of that sad day takes place on Thursday of this week's event and players have been invited to wear Seve's trademark white and navy as a tribute to the great man. Furthermore, prior to first tee shot on Thursday the starter will acknowledge Seve’s anniversary. The tribute to Seve will also be visible throughout the course, with images displayed on the first, on the 18th green, in various key points and in the practice range. From Monday to Thursday, the flags on holes nine and 18 will be dedicated to Seve, and from Friday onwards the flag on hole five will represent his Major victories at The Open Championship (1979, 1984 and 1988) and the Masters (1980 and 1983). Gone but never forgotten.
Inside the field
Major champion Francesco Molinari will lead a truly global field as the Race to Dubai rolls into its 12th country of the season. Rolex Series champions Paul Waring and Bernd Wiesberger - fresh off a win in China - also tee it up alongside South African Jayden Schaper, who is looking to maintain his push for the Harry Vardon Trophy. Fan favourite Andrew Johnston and exciting teenage talent Yanhan Zhou are also in action, while graduates from both the HotelPlanner Tour and Qualifying School will have a chance to make an impact.
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