Young guns to make their mark in Majorca

Hanson took the spoils last year

It is sure to be an emotive week as the European Tour arrives in Majorca for its second stop of the three-week Spanish swing – the Iberdrola Open.

With many of the players’ thoughts elsewhere at the moment, it would be fitting should a Spaniard take the spoils at Pula Golf Club on Sunday evening.

And the omens look good since the Mediterranean island has produced seven home-grown champions from its last 15 events on the island. Among the home challengers include Alejandro Cañizares, who will be hoping to go one better than last year when he was denied in a play-off by Swede Peter Hanson.

Pablo Larrazabal will also fancy his chances after impressing with a share of third place in last week’s Open de España.

José Maria Olazábal is sure to take plenty of fans around with him on a course he redesigned and won the last of his 23 European Tour titles back in 2005, while Thomas Aiken will start as warm favourite on the back of his maiden European Tour title which he dedicated to Seve Ballesteros.

“We all knew last week in Barcelona how Seve’s passing affected José Maria and it was hard for none of us not to have tears in our eyes,” said Aiken.

Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley will continue the Ryder Cup flavour on a week where black ribbons will be pinned to every flag as a mark of respect.

With so many of Europe’s leading players in Florida for The Players Championship this week, opportunities have opened up for the field to make their mark.

Iberdrola Open

Where?
Pula Golf Club, Majorca, Spain

When?
Thursday May 12 to Sunday May 15

The Course
Par-70; 6,808 yards

Purse
€800,000 (winner: €133,330)

Last Year’s Champion
Peter Hanson (-6) defeated Alejandro Cañizares in a playoff

Tournament Records
Lowest score: 274 (-6) Peter Hanson, Alejandro Cañizares in 2010

Did You Know?
The Iberdrola Open is being played for the second time after the tournament made its debut last year and is the third different European Tour event to be staged on the island of Majorca - The Turespaña Open Baleares took place between 1988 and 1995, and the Majorca Classic was held between 2003 and 2007.

Live Coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports 1 from 10.30am
Friday: Sky Sports 2 from 10.30am
Saturday: Sky Sports 2 from 12.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports 3 from 12.30pm