The Spanish Open kicks off from October 9 to October 12. Teeing it off at Madrid, the first round begins at 12 pm CEST. The star-studded field features past champions to Ryder Cup stars. The DP World Tour event, unlike the PGA Tour, allows LIV golfers to compete, too. That adds spice to the tournament, with a clash of golfers’ experiences in different formats. Seven golfers are joining from the Saudi circuit. Let’s take a look at the top 3 contenders.

#1: Jon Rahm

The Spanish golfer and a crowd favorite, Rahm, will be the one to watch this year. With a strong history of consistent performances at the Spanish Open and 3 past wins in 2018, 2019, and 2022, Rahm brings a winning pedigree. Moreover, the Spaniard’s impressive Ryder Cup record showcases his ability to deliver even under pressure in golf’s biggest stages.

Standing as a testament to his unmatched golfing aptitude, Rahm turned heads with his performance at Bethpage just last month. The Spaniard played 5 matches, contributing 3 points to the team, becoming the fourth highest contributor to the team.

However, the event won’t be a walk in the breeze for the Spaniard. Rahm faced a stinging near-miss last year, losing in a clutch playoff match against Ángel Hidalgo. The Spanish golfer birdied his 18th hole to force a playoff with Hidalgo, who managed a birdie on the second hole, securing the trophy.

Back on the greens against defending champion Hidalgo, the Spanish Open would be more than just another event on Rahn’s schedule. It will be an opportunity to resolve past tension and assert his dominance on the DP World Tour.

#2: Sergio Garcia

The 2002 Spanish Open Champion, Sergio Garcia, will be making his first appearance in the event since 2019. With the Spanish crowd standing firmly behind the LIV golfer, Garcia is set to return with determination and a sharp, fast-paced game. The Spaniard has maintained a strong presence on LIV with multiple top-10 finishes and an individual victory at the Hong Kong event this year.

Despite the hiatus from the DP World Tour and his return after the settlement of LIV-induced fines, Garcia has shown his competitiveness and poise in the European fields. His T7 finish at the BMW International Open in July 2025 reflects his sharp game and readiness for high-stakes tournaments.

His recent Instagram story featuring his practice rounds ahead of the Spanish Open hints at his grind and perseverance. This marks some of his first swings since his last appearance at the LIV Team Championship in August. The Spaniard’s experience, coupled with his resilient return to the DP World Tour, makes him one of the top contenders at the Spanish Open.

#3: Joaquin Niemann

While Rahm and Garcia return to the fields as veterans of the event, Niemann is making his debut. This adds a whole other layer of anticipation, with limited success or experience in the DP World Tour. However, Niemann’s standout year, featuring five wins in the Saudi circuit, showcases his individual prowess and formidable presence.

With his triumphs in Adelaide, Singapore, Mexico City, Virginia, and the United Kingdom, Niemann has secured the second rank in the LIV standings after narrowly losing the individual title to Jon Rahm.

His recent participation in the BMW PGA Championship saw him finish tied for 20th, showcasing his readiness for high-level competition. Moreover, his T5 at the ISPS Handa Australian Open reflects his ability to deliver even in unfamiliar territory. In short, the 26-year-old’s advent into professional golf has been nothing short of remarkable, making a strong case for the Chilean golfer.

In addition to these headlining stars, multiple other LIV golfers would be teeing it up in the European Tour as well, including Patrick Reed and Jose Luis Ballester. With a star-studded field and multiple past champions in contention, the 2025 Spanish Open promises fierce competition and thrilling moments from start to finish. Fans can catch up on all the drama through TV coverage on Sky Sports Golf or live updates on talkSPORT. Tickets are available for purchase through their official website.