The European Tour heads to Spain this week for the time honoured Open De Espana at the Real Club de Golf de Seville course in Sevilla. This event is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and is one of the oldest events on the European calender.

The tournament was last played on this course in 2010 when Spaniard Alvaro Quiros was the victor. Prior to that it was in 2008 when Irishman Peter Lawrie won in a play off.

Real Club de Golf de Seville is a Par 72, 7140 yard course which is known for its thick rough. Accuracy off the tee will be of the highest order this week as you can rack up some high numbers if you spray the ball around this demanding course.

The field this week is a very strong one and sees many of the more fancied European tour players competing for a share of the 2,000,000 euros. The winner will walk away with 333,000 euros.

The favourite this week at 15/1 is the German Nicolas Colsaerts who is coming off a 2nd in the Volvo Masters. He was also 3rd in the Sicilian Open in early April.  When the tournament was played here in 2010 he finished 6th. Last year he won the Volvo Masters then came into this event and recorded a 22nd finish.

Another fancied player at 16/1 is Italian Francesco Molinari. His last 4 European starts have all been inside the Top 20. Add to that a 13th in WGC Cadillac Championship and a 17th at WGC Match Play Championship. At the recent Volvo Masters he was 6th, so we know he is in good touch at present.

Chasing these two will be a host of players with the calibre of Matteo Manassero, George Coetzee, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Paul Lawrie, Alvaro Quiros, Soren Kjeldsen and Thomas Aiken.

Past winners of this event have included 2011 Thomas Aiken, 2010 Alvaro Quiros, 2009 Thomas Levet, 2008 Peter Lawrie, 2007 Charl Shwartzel, 2006 Niclas Fasth, 2005 Peter Hanson, 2004 Christan Cevaer, 2003 Kenneth Ferrie and 2002 Sergio Garcia.

Looking back further there are some very well known and respected names on the honor roll with the likes of Seve Ballesteros (81,85,95), Bernhard Langer (84,89), Nick Faldo (87) and Sam Torrence (82).

Looking at the field this week I have found TWO players who should be right up there come Sunday afternoon. They Are:

Shane Lowry 45/1

Shane loves playing in Spain. It must be the sun which he doesnt get to see to much back in Ireland! When you look at his record in Spain you will see what I mean.

Open De Espana: 2011= 11th, 2010= 12th.

Andalucian Masters: 2011= 4th, 2010= 18th.

Iberdrola Open: 2011= 5th.

Madrid Masters: 2010= 53rd, 2009= 41st.

Open de Andalucia: 2012= 7th.

This season he has had 6 starts and made all 6 cuts. Highlights are 7th Open de Andalucia, 17th Trophee HAssan II and 6th Sicilian Open.

He is currently rating at 62% Driving Accuracy and 67% Greens in Regulation. This could very well be his week to claim the 100th edition of the Open De Espana.

Ignacio Garrido 60/1

I am sure every Spaniard player will be trying  their hardest to win their home tournament and especially as it is the 100th anniversary. Look no further than 40 year old Ignacio. He was 17th here in 2010 and 2nd in 2008.

His form in other Spanish tournaments also looks good.

Madrid Masters: 2011= 51st, 2010= 28th, 2009= 7th, 2008= 10th.

Castello Masters: 2011= 35th, 2010= 2nd, 2009= 33rd, 2008= 15th.

Andalucian Masters: 2011= 41st, 2010= 14th.

His stats also rate very highly for this course layout. He is rating at 73% Driving Accuracy and 72% Greens in Regulation.

Then you look at his current form. 26th in the Open De Andalucia, 9th Trophee Hassan II and 11th Volvo China Masters.

Could Ignacio be the toast of Spain on Sunday afternoon? Why Not?

Ole!!