After the excitement of Jon Rahm’s win in the national Open last week, there is an energy about what might unfold this week at a tournament boasting the largest of the purses among the three consecutive Spanish events.

Valderrama isn’t considered an architectural masterpiece yet it almost always creates exciting golf with big swings in score possible late into the round.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: A gritty competitor with an analytical mind, Matt Fitzpatrick’s game seems almost purpose built for the test that is Valderrama.

Starting the final round three behind Sebastian Soderberg, the Englishman was a model of stoic golf as he reeled off 15 consecutive pars Sunday then rattled home birdies at the 16th and 17th.

RIGHT: Now a major winner, Matt Fitzpatrick will defend his title at Valderrama this week. PHOTO Angel Martinez/Getty Images.

Right around the same time Soderberg was going the other direction with a double bogey-bogey finish to finish in a share of second alongside Min Woo Lee.

COURSES: Valderrama is one of Europe’s best known courses though not one of its best.

Home to several high profile events over the years (including the 1997 Ryder Cup and two WGC events around the turn of the century), it is a favoured tournament venue despite being an extraordinarily severe test.

With more trees than seems sensible, the course can be a beast for scoring if there is any wind to contend with and that is not an infrequent happening.

The par-5 17th is the best known hole on the course, a long second required to carry a pond to a severely sloping green which can be difficult to hold even with a short club.

Many a pro has spun an approach back into the water after laying up but it equally has to be said that chipping from over the back of the green towards the water is the sort of prospect that might have one favouring the lay-up.

Good iron players with a good temperament tend to do well around Valderrama, the temperament part often being more important than the iron play.

PRIZEMONEY: EUR3,000,000

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PLAYERS TO WATCH: A little like TPC Sawgrass, there is an element of democracy to Valderrama with the nature of the course not really seeming to favour any particular ‘type’ of player.

There is a relatively short list of multiple winners of The Players’ and the same is true of Valderrama.

Valderrama's 17th hole generally plays a crucial role in determining the winner each year. PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

Sergio Garcia has won three times at the course but won’t be teeing up this week and none of the modern generation of players has triumphed more than once.

Having said that, Fitzpatrick looks to have the right game for the course and despite missing the cut his first time out his win last year confirms he has worked out how to play there.

Interestingly Min Woo Lee – who was runner-up last week to Jon Rahm – was also second at this event last year and with those memories and current form has to be considered a chance this week.

Recent winner Ryan Fox returns from a couple of weeks off and, perhaps surprisingly given the nature of his game, has nothing but good memories of this venue.

The New Zealander made his debut here last year and finished T4, four shots adrift of Fitzpatrick.

With such a significant win under his belt at St Andrews a fortnight ago he will arrive with plenty of confidence and a lot of good memories, a dangerous combination for a player of his talent.

72-HOLE RECORD: 272 (-12, Sergio Garcia, 2017)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this tournament.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Min Woo Lee, Scott Hend, Jason Scrivener and Maverick Antcliff.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 10pm – 2am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 10pm – 2am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 10pm – 2am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 9pm – 1.30am)
*AEDT, check local guides