Barcelona Open (golf)

(Redirected from Sanyo Open)

The Barcelona Open was a professional golf tournament that was held in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Founded as the Sanyo Open in 1981, it was an event on the European Tour from 1982 until 1988, after which it was replaced on the tour schedule by the Catalan Open. For the first two editions it was played at Club de Golf Sant Cugat, and thereafter at Real Club de Golf El Prat.

Barcelona Open
Tournament information
LocationBarcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Established1981
Course(s)Real Club de Golf El Prat
Par72
Tour(s)European Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund£200,000
Month playedMarch
Final year1988
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 Neil Coles (1982)
To par−16 Seve Ballesteros (1985)
Final champion
England David Whelan
Location map
RCG El Prat is located in Spain
RCG El Prat
RCG El Prat
Location in Spain
RCG El Prat is located in Catalonia
RCG El Prat
RCG El Prat
Location in Catalonia

After sponsors Sanyo withdrew following the 1986 tournament, promoters IMG supported the event in 1987.[1] However persistent bad weather rendered the El Prat course unplayable and the tournament was ultimately postponed until 1988.[1][2]

The two most notable winners were Spanish major champions Seve Ballesteros in 1985 and José María Olazábal in 1986. The final tournament in 1988 was won by England's David Whelan, who defeated Nick Faldo, Barry Lane and Mark Mouland in a four-way playoff. Whelan, who had borrowed money from his parents in order to make the trip to Spain to compete in the tournament, triumphed at the 4th extra hole after the four players had tied at 276 (12 under par) after 72 holes.[3]

Winners

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Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
Barcelona Open
1989 Cancelled
Torras Hostench Barcelona Open
1988   David Whelan 276 −12 Playoff   Nick Faldo
  Barry Lane
  Mark Mouland
El Prat [3][4]
Barcelona Open
1987 Cancelled due to course flooding El Prat [2][1]
Sanyo Open
1986   José María Olazábal 273 −15 3 strokes   Howard Clark El Prat [5]
1985   Seve Ballesteros 272 −16 3 strokes   Jeff Hawkes El Prat
1984   Sam Torrance 281 −7 Playoff   Des Smyth El Prat [6]
1983   Des Smyth 279 −9 1 stroke   Hugh Baiocchi
  Mark James
El Prat
1982   Neil Coles 266 −14 1 stroke   Gary Cullen Sant Cugat [7]
1981   Bernard Gallacher 268 −12 3 strokes   Seve Ballesteros Sant Cugat [8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Miller, David (20 October 1987). "Threat to the welfare of golf". The Times. London, England. p. 48. Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  2. ^ a b "Sport in brief | Golf". The Guardian. London, England. 15 October 1987. p. 30. Retrieved 7 June 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Rags-to-riches win for Whelan after four-hole play-off". The Herald (Glasgow). 19 March 1988. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  4. ^ "Barcelona Open 1988". PGA European Tour. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  5. ^ McCormack, Mark H. (1987). Ebel World of Professional Golf 1987. Collins Willow. pp. 221–223, 439. ISBN 0002182572.
  6. ^ McCormack, Mark H. (1985). Ebel World of Professional Golf 1985. Springwood Books. pp. 193–194, 399. ISBN 0862541247.
  7. ^ "£10,000 prize for Neil Coles". The Glasgow Herald. Glasgow, United Kingdom. 11 October 1982. p. 14. Retrieved 7 October 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  8. ^ McCormack, Mark H. (1982). Dunhill World of Professional Golf 1982. Springwood Books. pp. 205, 420–421. ISBN 0862541018.
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