![\"\u00c1lvaro](\"https:\/\/golfcircus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/\u00c1lvaro-Quir\u00f3s-Open-Espa\u00f1a10Fernando-Herranz.jpg\")
<\/a>The first was on 1966 at the neighbouring and newly opened RCG Sotogrande, where Argentina\u2019s Roberto de Vicenzo stole the show. Four years later, RCG Las Brisas (Marbella), another Robert Trent Jones layout, saw a home winner. \u00c1ngel Gallardo, current Vice-Chairman of the European Tour, won by two shots over England\u2019s Neil Coles and Ireland\u2019s Christy O\u2019Connor Sr. \u201cI had always dreamt of winning my national Open; that was the most thrilling moment of my career\u201d <\/em>recalls Gallardo.<\/p>\n Nine years passed before the event returned in 1979 to southern Spain at Torrequebrada (Benalm\u00e1dena, M\u00e1laga), a course designed by the recently deceased Jos\u00e9 Gancedo \u2014 who was the leading amateur in the 1970 edition won by Gallardo. South African Dale Hayes triumphed at Torrequebrada, and for the first time, the event had a title sponsor \u2013 Benson&Hedges \u2013 something unthinkable up to then. Over the last decade, the Open de Espa\u00f1a has enjoyed the support of Reale as its main sponsor.<\/p>\n In 1983 and 1987, Marbella was again the venue. During the 80s, the Costa del Sol was widely recognized in the tourism industry for its first class hotel and golf infrastructure. This attracted the best fields as well as big galleries, which ensured the success of both editions. In 1983 Ireland\u2019s Eamonn Darcy prevailed in a thrilling playoff over home favourites Manuel Pi\u00f1ero, Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Ca\u00f1izares and Manuel Montes. Sir Nick Faldo\u2019s 1987 two-shot victory over Seve Ballesteros and South Africa\u2019s Hugh Baiocchi marked the end of a three-year drought. Faldo later said the win was a \u201cmajor turning point<\/em>\u201d, which restored his confidence. Two months later he claimed the first of his six Major titles at The Open Championship.<\/p>\n With the new millennium the event was held consecutively in 2005 and 2006 at The San Roque Club \u2014 in close vicinity to Valderrama \u2014 where Swedes Peter Hanson and Niclas Fasth, earned playoff victories over Peter Gustafsson and John Bickerton respectively.<\/p>\n And finally, Seville hosted the 2008, 2010 and 2012 editions at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla. The Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Olaz\u00e1bal layout was universally applauded for both the quality of its design and its top condition. The respective winners were: Peter Lawrie in a playoff over Nacho Garrido, \u00c1lvaro Quir\u00f3s in a playoff over James Morrison and Francesco Molinari with a three-shot victory over Alejandro Ca\u00f1izares, S\u00f8ren Kjeldsen and Pablo Larraz\u00e1bal.<\/p>\n