The Open de España returns to Real Club de Golf de Sevilla this year for the first time since 2008. Last year Thomas Levet took the title at PGA Golf de Catalunya when he became the most successful Frenchman in the history of The European Tour with his fifth triumph – 11 years after his maiden victory in the 1998 Cannes Open – and immediately dedicated the victory on Spanish soil to the nation’s favourite golfer, Seve Ballesteros, and his continuing fight to recover from brain surgery.
Levet revealed it was his long-time friendship with players such as Seve and José Maria Olazábal that had encouraged him to add Spanish to his impressive portfolio of languages and it was particularly appreciated by the crowds around the prize giving ceremony that the new champion thanked them all in their native tongue.
One shot behind Søren Hansen after the first round, Levet took control of the tournament at the halfway stage with a second round 67. The 40 year old Parisian still led come Saturday night and despite falling behind in the early stages of the final round be regrouped to coolly birdie both the 15th and 17th to ensure his two shot victory.
