Spanish trio Pablo Larrazábal, Nacho Elvira and Angel Ayora will return to their home country for the inaugural edition of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship at Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona from May 7-10.
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship will be the first tournament on the European Swing and Real Club de Golf El Prat will host a DP World Tour event for the first time since the 2015 Open de España.
The tournament is new to the 2026 Race to Dubai as part of the Road to 2031 Ryder Cup, following the agreement announced earlier this summer that the 2031 Ryder Cup will be played at Camiral in Catalunya, with Spain becoming the first continental European country to host the biennial contest twice.
Nine-time DP World Tour winner Larrazábal was born in Barcelona and he is excited to return to his home course, Real Club de Golf El Prat, which he grew up playing on.
The 2008 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year winner is looking to use home comforts to his advantage in Catalunya and win in Spain for the second time in his career having triumphed at the ISPS Handa Championship in 2022.
“Real Club de Golf El Prat is a special golf course, and it is a terrific venue for the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship. It’s one of those golf courses where there’s no such thing as a bad hole. You have 18 great holes,” said Larrazábal.
“I’m fortunate enough to have won on home soil in the past, but to win in my hometown in front of my friends and family would be very special.”
Elvira has enjoyed a terrific start to the campaign, securing his third DP World Tour title at the 2026 Dubai Invitational, and the 38-year-old is hoping to add to his trophy cabinet in Catalunya.
“I’m very excited to play in the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship,” he said. “It’s always special to play in Spain and I’m really looking forward to it. I have never won on home soil and that has always been a goal of mine.
“This event gives us the opportunity to play on one of the best courses in the country and it is going to be a great week.”
Ayora earned his DP World Tour playing privileges after finishing fourth on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings in 2024, and he has not looked back since.
The 21-year-old went on to finish in 20th position on the 2025 Race to Dubai Rankings, which included a top ten finish at the Open de España presented by Madrid, and he is relishing the prospect of playing in front of home crowds again in Barcelona.
“I’m excited to have the chance to play at home in front of some big crowds. I had a great experience in Madrid last year and I finished in the top ten,” he said.
“Real Club de Golf El Prat is a fantastic golf course, and it is going to be another memorable week. I’m very excited to get to Barcelona in May.”
Jorge Villavecchia, CEO of Damm, said: “We are proud to be the title sponsor of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship for the next five years and we are looking forward to delivering a world-class sporting event at the wonderful Real Club de Golf El Prat, showcasing the region of Catalunya to a global audience.
“It is also fantastic to see players such as Pablo, Nacho and Ángel competing in the event, underlining the strength of Spanish golf and adding to what promises to be a very special week. We have enjoyed a successful and fruitful partnership with the European Tour Group for many years, and we are delighted to continue with this new event.”
Pancho Schröder, President of Real Club de Golf El Prat, added: “We are extremely proud to be hosting the DP World Tour’s Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, and it is a true recognition of the prestige of Real Club de Golf El Prat.
“The tournament will once again place Real Club de Golf El Prat on the international map of professional golf, and it reaffirms our reputation as one of Europe’s leading golf clubs. It will also provide us with a unique opportunity to further enhance our facilities while strengthening the legacy of our members at the very heart of the club.”