• Dale Hayes of South Africa and the Open de España are well linked in the history of The European Tour. As an 18 year old in 1971, playing in his first European Tour event he became the then youngest winner in European Tour history – aged 18 and 290 days. Hayes also became the first player to win on his European Tour debut.
• Low scoring was the order of the week in 2003 Open de España at the Golf Costa Adeje Tenerife with the lowest 36 hole cut in European Tour history at 138 (-6). This record was since equalled at the 2005 TCL Classic.
• Another piece of history was created in 2003. After 54 holes Paul Casey, eventual winner, Kenneth Ferrie, Søren Hansen, Simon Khan, Santiago Luna and then amateur Pablo Martin were all tied on 197 (-19). It was the first time that six players had shared the lead going into the final day’s play.
• Defending champion Peter Lawrie will be aiming to emulate Eddie Polland (1976 and 1980) as the only Irish players to win the Open de España twice.
• The Stadium Course at PGA Golf de Catalunya will be playing host to a European Tour event for the first time since the 2000 Open de España, won by Brian Davis. The previous year the venue staged The Sarazen World Open, claimed by Thomas Björn. There are 18 players who competed in the two previous events and playing this year. They are: Jesus Maria Arruti, Peter Baker, John Bickerton, Björn, Stephen Gallacher, Ignacio Garrido, Anders Hansen, Søren Hansen, David Howell, Søren Kjeldsen, Maarten Lafeber, Thomas Levet, Santiago Luna, Andrew McLardy, John Mellor, Gary Orr, Carlos Rodiles and Anthony Wall.
• There are 26 Spanish players competing in the Open de España. Since The European Tour’s first season, only three Spanish players have won – Antonio Garrido (1972 – very first European Tour event), Seve Ballesteros (1981, 1985 and 1995) and Sergio Garcia (2002).
