DEFENDING CHAMPION: South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout defeated five players – including current World No.2 Jon Rahm – by six shots here last year, claiming his maiden European Tour title in the process.

COURSE: Real Club Valderrama, in Spain, is one of the most iconic golf courses on the planet and was designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones in 1974. The former Ryder Cup venue (1997) is known for its difficulty and will this week play to 6,401 metres (par-71). Keep an eye on the challenging closing stretch of holes, which always seem to create drama.

PRIZEMONEY: €1,250,000.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Belgian Thomas Detry returns to action after two weeks’ rest and deserves to be considered one of the heavy favourites at Valderrama, despite the fact he is still chasing his first European Tour title.

The 27-year-old shared eighth place here last year and had posted two runner-up finishes prior to skipping the Wales Open and UK Championship.

Detry, who is currently ranked 79th in the Official World Golf Ranking, is currently third on Tour for his stroke average of 69.28.

RIGHT: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (pictured with tournament host Sergio Garcia) won his maiden European Tour title here last year. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

Englishman Andy Sullivan arrives in great form, having won the English Championship by seven shots three weeks ago and sharing ninth place at the UK Championship last week.

The 33-year-old didn’t play overly well from tee-to-green at The Belfry last week, however he managed to lead the field in putting and will hope to have sorted out his ball-striking.

Sullivan, who has won four titles on the European Tour, has a decent track record at Valderrama, too, finishing T13th last year and T18th in his only other appearance, which came in 2017.

72-HOLE RECORD: Three-time champion Sergio Garcia shot 12-under-par 272 when he defeated Joost Luiten by one shot in 2017.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australian winners.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Maverick Antcliff, Jake McLeod, Zach Murray, Wade Ormsby and Jason Scrivener.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8pm – 10pm and 11pm – 2am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8pm – 10pm and 11pm – 2am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
*AEST, check local guides