Seve inspires the start of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship
Severiano Ballesteros will be the star of the show at the debut of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, held at the Real Club de Golf El Prat from May 7–10. Coinciding with the fifteenth anniversary of his passing and in collaboration with the Ballesteros family, the tournament will pay special tribute to the Cantabrian genius who completely transformed golf in Europe.
Seve is, without a doubt, the greatest inspiration for players on the Tour. That is why they will wear his iconic colors —navy blue and white— on the opening day, as will the officials, caddies, and members of the public who wish to join in this tribute. At 1:30 p.m., on the first tee, the starter will say a few words to honor his memory and his invaluable legacy.
The tribute to Seve will be visible through images and banners at various points along the course, including the 1st tee, the 18th green, and the practice area. On Thursday, the 7th, the flags at holes 9 and 18 will bear his logo, and starting Friday, hole 5 will commemorate his major victories: the Open Championship (1979, 1984, and 1988) and the Masters Tournament (1980 and 1983).
Severiano Ballesteros, whose 50 titles set the DP World Tour record for wins, is one of the most inspiring figures for all the players who knew him and for new generations. One of them is Ángel Ayora, who is proudly wearing the Seve logo on his clothing this week.
“Seve was incredible. That’s the word that best defines him. Finishing a round and seeing his image makes you feel, in a way, like you’re part of history. That’s how I feel,” he said at a press conference.
Just a few days ago, he received an invitation to compete in the PGA Championship, the second major of the season, and believes the Rosa course can help prepare him.
“On this course, you have to do everything very well. There are very narrow holes, and if your drive or wood isn’t your strong suit, you’re going to struggle. The greens are small, with lots of ledges and drop-off areas around them,” he explained.
Ángel is one of the most promising figures in golf today, but he doesn’t feel extra pressure from the expectations.
“I’m very grateful that people speak highly of me, but I don’t think it’s affecting me. Interestingly, the people around me tell me quite the opposite: that I should believe a little more in how good I am.”
His team consists of Juan Ochoa, Javier Ballesteros, and Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“Everyone understands their role perfectly and offers their opinion on every aspect. I trust them completely and know that everything they do is to help me. I couldn’t have a better team right now,” he said.
“Golf is a very mental sport. I have a lot of technical aspects to refine, but the difference lies in the mind—in knowing yourself well and knowing what to do at every moment. That’s where I have the most room to grow,” he confessed.
To improve this aspect, he has the help of the former world No. 1 tennis player.
“With Ferrero, I’m working on truly believing that I have the ability to execute any shot. Doubts often creep in: which shot might work, which won’t, where you might miss… The key is to choose a strategy and commit 100% to it,” he concluded.
Nacho Elvira will experience the tribute to his idol, Seve Ballesteros, in a special way.
“I’ve admired him since I was a child; I was lucky enough to see him play a match against Tom Kite in Pedreña when I was still very young. Plus, Seve didn’t hit the ball particularly straight off the tee, just like me. Seeing how he handled those situations—the shots he hit from under the trees, the spin… I think I’ve grown up with that image of a player,” he said in the press room.
Elvira secured his third Tour victory in January, the Dubai Invitational, and aims to finish the season in the top 25 of the Race to Dubai or even contend for a spot in the top ten. This week he has the opportunity to close the gap on a course he likes and that suits his game.
“The Rosa course demands that you’re always well-positioned off the tee. It’s not long, but it is relatively narrow; when you miss the fairway, you immediately run into trees and very difficult shots to the green. I don’t think distance makes that much of a difference. There are a couple of long par 5s where long hitters might have an advantage, but for me, the tournament will be decided by the shots to the green. They’re relatively short shots—between an 8-iron and a wedge in many cases—and that’s where I feel most comfortable.”
“There are a couple of par 3s that need to be played with great respect, like the 6th hole, which is extremely long and very demanding. Overall, it’s a very technical course, all about strategy and placement, where most of us will be playing from similar positions and where the shots to the green will be key.”
On the day before the start of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, the Pro-Am was held, won by the teams led by Rafa Cabrera Bello and Adri Arnaus, and the first day of competition will offer a great show starting very early.
At 8:10 a.m. on the 10th tee, Pablo Larrazábal, Matteo Manassero, and Eugenio Chacarra will tee off, followed by Ángel Ayora, Julien Guerrier, and Jayden Schaper (8:20 a.m.).
At the 1st tee at 1:10 p.m. will be Ángel Hidalgo, Adri Arnaus, and Freddy Schott, followed by Nacho Elvira, Martin Couvra, and Dan Bradbury (1:20 p.m.) and Rafa Cabrera Bello, Bernd Wiesberger, and Francesco Molinari at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets for the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship (with a 25% discount for federation members, 50% off for young people aged 13 to 17, and free entry for children under 13) can be purchased here. Throughout the tournament, the ticket office at El Prat will be open.
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, a DP World Tour tournament included in the Race to Dubai as the first event of the European Swing, is held thanks to the essential collaboration of the Real Club de Golf El Prat. It is sponsored by Estrella Damm and will kick off the Road to 2031 Ryder Cup, a journey that will end at the 2031 Ryder Cup to be held at Camiral.