Tenerife Championship added to 2021 schedule

Golf Costa Adeje. Picture: Raico Rosenberg

The European Tour today added the Tenerife Championship to its 2021 schedule, with the new event concluding a three week run in the Canary Islands.

It will be played at Golf Costa Adeje from May 6 -9, the date vacated by the postponement of the Open de France last week.

The Tenerife Championship will have a prize fund of €1.5million and forms a double-header at the venue, taking place the week after the Tenerife Open (April 29-May 2). The European Tour’s three-tournament stretch in the Canary Islands begins with next week’s Gran Canaria Lopesan Open which is hosted by Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello at Meloneras Golf.

Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “We are very grateful to Golf Costa Adeje and the Costa Adeje Municipality for their support in creating the Tenerife Championship at such short notice.

“It was important for us to replace the postponed Open de France to provide playing opportunities for our members while staging a second event in Tenerife, and playing a third consecutive week in the Canary Islands, also helps to reduce travel for our players, caddies and staff.

“To create this event so quickly is a testament to everyone involved and we look forward to showcasing Golf Costa Adeje to our global audience for two consecutive weeks.”

Paul de Sterck, Director of Golf Costa Adeje, said: “We are very proud to welcome the European Tour for one more week, for the Tenerife Championship that will be held in Golf Costa Adeje from May 6-9. It is a great opportunity to promote golf in Tenerife.”

The European Tour last played in Tenerife in 2005 when John Bickerton won the Abama Open de Canarias. Golf Costa Adeje also hosted the Open de España in 2003, won by another Englishman, Kenneth Ferrie, while the Tenerife Open was played five times on the island between 1989 and 1994, with future Masters Champion and Ryder Cup Captain, José María Olazábal winning the inaugural edition and again in 1992.

In addition to the three consecutive events in the Canary Islands, the European Tour will also play back-to-back events in mainland Spain later in 2021 - the Open de España at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid (October 7-10) and the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama (October 14-17) – meaning it will visit the country five times in total this year.