Five things to know as the European Tour returns to the Canary Islands for the inaugural Gran Canaria Lopesan Open
Start of the Canary Islands Swing
The European Tour has a rich history of hosting events in the Canary Islands, but makes its return to Gran Canaria this week for the first time since the Canaries Open de España in 2002, which was won by Sergio Garcia.
The inaugural event marks the start of three consecutive weeks of the new ‘Canary Islands Swing’ and will be followed by back-to-back events in Tenerife: The Tenerife Open and the Tenerife Championship.
Cabrera Bello hosts
Rafa Cabrera Bello, who hails from Gran Canaria, has assumed the role of host of this week’s tournament.
The Ryder Cup star, who impressed on his European Tour debut on the island as a 17-year-old amateur in 2002, said hosting this week was something he is very proud of.
“It’s a proud moment for me to host a tournament on Gran Canaria and I can’t wait to tee off in the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open at Meloneras Golf,” he said.
“Although I’m now lucky to travel all over the world playing golf, I have remained connected to the Canary Islands and was proud to be able to establish the Circuito Juvenil Rafa Cabrera Bello in association with Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas in 2019.
“Although we’re not able to welcome spectators in person in the current climate, I hope that young players will be inspired by having two European Tour events in the Canary Islands, and I thank everyone involved in making these tournaments happen.”
Melonares Golf
In previous years, the European Tour has visited Campo de Golf da Maspalomas (1995 and 1997) and El Cortijo Club de Campo (2002) in Gran Canaria, but this is the first time an event has been staged at Meloneras Golf.
The course, a 6,715 yard par 70, was designed by Ron Kirby and opened in 2006. It was the sixth course to be built on Gran Canaria – and is one our host this week has a lot of knowledge of.
“This course we’re playing this week wasn’t even built when I was a kid, but I have been here a lot to practice during my professional career,” said Cabrera Bello.
“It’s a golf course that has been built for tourism with generous fairways and more friendly bunkers, but they have been firming up the greens, and the wind is one thing that no one can control,” Cabrera Bello said of the course this week.
“I think if the wind doesn’t come up like it could the scores will be very low, which the course is designed for, and if the wind does pick up its going to be a tougher test. It’s a great course. I love the back nine, because there are a few holes beside the cliff and there are some daunting tee shots and approaches”
Inside the field
Rafa Cabrera Bello is undoubtedly the home favourite, but he’s also part of an impressive field which features three of the most recent winners on the European Tour: John Catlin, Justin Harding, and Antoine Rozner.
Rozner is making his return to the European Tour after an impressive debut at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, where he defeated reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau in his opening match, and he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to continue the consistent run of recent form that saw him capture the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters title in March.
“The game is good, and I like when the wind blows so if it can blow like it did in Qatar for example I think it could suit my game so we’ll see,” said Rozner, who is the second highest ranked player in the field after Andy Sullivan.
Other players in great form heading into this week include Kurt Kitayama, Calum Hill and Sam Horsfield, who all have some of lowest scoring averages on Tour this season and have at least two top tens already in 2021.
Fantasy Race to Dubai
The European Tour’s Fantasy Race to Dubai continues in Gran Canaria this week, and it’s never too late to sign up.
Players can create their own six-man team and compete in Private Leagues, Weekly Top 10 Challenges and Head to Head competitions, with prizes given out weekly and across the season.
Unsure who to pick? From home favourite Rafa Cabrera Bello to Sam Horsfield and Antoine Rozner, our Fantasy Golf Experts Kit Alexander and Sophie Walker have you covered as they explain who they favour in this week’s edition of Ones To Watch, (click here to read).
Sign up here:Et.golf/fr2d
