The golfer from San Pedro de Alcantara confirms her participation in the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open in Spain, tournament that will be played from November 26th to 29th
Azahara Muñoz, the only Spanish woman to have won the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open in Spain, will try to win her third title from November 26-29 at the Real Club de Golf Guadalmina, the scene of her last victory in an individual championship. The San Pedro de Alcantara golfer confirms that she will head the spectacular tournament line-up, the last event of the Race to Costa del Sol 2020 and the finishing touch to the Ladies European Tour calendar.
Muñoz returns home, a Real Club de Golf Guadalmina that will be decorated to receive its honorary member and will offer the impeccable design of its southern course to host a tournament that the Spanish has already won twice.
“Guadalmina is my home and I always love to come back. As this year things are very complicated I haven’t been back since December, so this year I feel like coming back twice as much to see my family and to play the Spanish Open. Costa del Sol is doing an enormous job with the Race to Costa del Sol and that this year the tournament is in Guadalmina makes me twice as excited”, explains the Spanish golfer, who still has the 2017 edition very much alive in her memory. “It was a very special tournament, with a lot of public and almost all the members went to encourage me. I have been a member of Guadalmina since I was nine years old and they have known me since I was a little girl, and winning there in front of them and all the workers of the course was super special”.
The goal, therefore, is to beat Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, Laura Davies and Anne Van Dam, who like Azahara Muñoz (winner in 2016 and 2017) have achieved two victories in the tournament, and to get the third one in the best possible scenario.
“Of course I think about the hat trick and I would be very happy to win. Besides, that was the last victory I’ve had apart from the Solheim Cup [in 2019]. Obviously, you like to win any tournament, but to be able to win the Spanish Open again, and even more so at home… I would fool you if I told you that it hadn’t crossed my mind. That’s the goal: to train hard the remaining weeks and see if I can do it that week because I would love to defend my title.
The Spanish lady is aware of the difficulties that have arisen this year and that is why she has also wanted to support the Ladies European Tour and the sponsors (headed by Andalucia and Costa del Sol) with her presence in the only race of the circuit that will be held this year in our country. In addition, Azahara Muñoz is the fourth classified in the order of merit, the Race to Costa del Sol, and will fight to gain ground and make it difficult for her rivals.
“For me it’s a bit more complicated because I play less on the circuit, and the other girls have had more options. Also, Emily Pedersen is playing great and is the clear leader, but you never know. Even if I have a good Spanish Open, winning would be impossible, but being in the top three would be a good goal with the few tournaments I’ve been able to play”.
The Spaniard will miss the large audience that always gathers in the Andalusian fields that host professional women’s competitions, and especially that of her home club, but she is clear that they will be following her steps on the other side of the television during the four days and she wants to offer them her best version.
“I always try to give my best, but when you have so many people supporting you, I don’t know why, you get that extra. This year has been complicated and it’s hard for me, because I’m one of the players that comes up when there’s an audience. The other day I was talking about it with my husband: I have four tournaments left this season and that’s all there is. It’s the same for all of them and I have to get the best out of myself anyway”.
In fact, one of her best memories related to the support of the public takes her to the 18th hole at Guadalmina, in her second victory at the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open in Spain in 2017.
“On Saturday afternoon, at the end of the third round, I remember that I hit a very good second shot on the 18th and left it three or four meters away for eagle. I remember I putt that putt and people went crazy. My cousins were there, who don’t even play golf, and they said to me: “Azahara, my hair is standing on end! I’ll take that moment, because it was the last putt on Saturday and it filled me with energy for Sunday”.
This atmosphere can be experienced again in 2023 at the Solheim Cup to be held at Finca Cortesín, a dream come true for an Azahara Muñoz who has played this competition four times (with three European victories) since 2011.”It’s amazing. It’s my favorite tournament, I’ve been lucky enough to play four editions and it’s a very special tournament. The Costa del Sol is an incredible destination, Finca Cortesin is a campaign and I think it is going to be a blast. When I talk to people and tell them that I am from Marbella, everyone tells me that they have been or want to be there. The date is great for the weather, I know that Deporte & Business is going to do an incredible job and I am looking forward to it. I know there are three years left, but it would be my dream: to play the Solheim Cup again and do it at home. It would be spectacular.
The news of the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open in Spain can be followed in the web openfemenino.com, the Twitter account @Openfemenino, the Instagram account @spanishopen and the Facebook page @openfemenino.