Sergio Garcia's Spanish Open backing warmly welcomed

While still to be confirmed officially, Sergio Garcia has become the latest European Tour player to get involved in a tournament on home soil.

Sergio Garcia. Picture: Michael Gillen

The Ryder Cup player tweeted that his Foundation is to host the Spanish Open at Valderrama in April, when the prize fund is expected to be €2 million.

“I couldn’t be more excited – what an amazing honour,” wrote Garcia, who joins Rory McIlroy (Irish Open), Paul Lawrie (Saltire Energy Match Play) and Ian Poulter, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose (British Masters) in throwing his weight behind a tournament, on the social media site.

Taking place the week after the Masters, the event probably won’t attract too many players from the world’s top 50. The fact it’s being held at all, however, should be warmly welcomed on two counts.

First and foremost, it was under genuine threat due to the Spanish Golf Federation reportedly being peeved at losing out to Italy in the battle for the 2022 Ryder Cup.

Secondly, it’s terrific that Valderrama, scene of so many fantastic season-ending Volvo Masters but missing from the schedule since 2008, will be back in the spotlight.