Pro Calls For Valderrama Members To 'Make The Right Decision'

Edoardo Molinari has said he hopes the course remains on the DP World Tour, with LIV Golf reportedly targeting it for 2023

Edoardo Molinari takes a shot during the 2022 Andalucia Masters
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mike Hall
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Edoardo Molinari has expressed his desire that the DP World Tour continues to host an event at Real Club de Valderrama in future years. 

There are suggestions that the renowned Spanish course is being earmarked as a host course for next year’s LIV Golf League, which has led the Italian to call on members to "make the right decision" and allow it to remain on the DP World Tour.

The 41-year-old took to Twitter to congratulate this year’s winner of the Andalucia Masters, Adrian Otaegui, whose six-shot win demonstrated an impressive command of the course. Molinari said: “Well played Adrian Otaegui, incredible scoring around Valderrama. Let’s just hope we can keep playing a @DPWorldTour event there in future years…it’s definitely my favorite venue of the year! Hopefully the members at Valderrama will make the right decision.”

Real Club de Valderrama is considered one of the best golf courses in Spain, and has been a firm favourite on the DP World Tour for decades after it began hosting tournaments in the 1980s with the Volvo Masters. However, while the 2023 LIV Golf schedule is yet to be confirmed, there were reports earlier in the year that the Saudi-backed organisation had held talks with the club with a view to hosting one of its tournaments. If Molinari is correct, it appears its members will determine its 2023 destiny.

Last month, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley admitted that LIV Golf could be in the running to host a tournament at the course. He said: "LIV's first event was in our territory in the UK and there is talk and people are asking me now about Valderrama. They are talking to every one of our stakeholders, every one of our partners, every one of our broadcasters." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: "We have put a proposal to Valderrama and would very much like to continue to have such an iconic venue as part of our schedule."

A report per Sports Illustrated outlined a tentative LIV Golf schedule for 2023 that includes a tournament at the course in July. Given the fractious relationship between the DP World Tour and LIV Golf, it seems unlikely it would be used on both. With the LIV Golf schedule for its expanded League expected to be confirmed in November, Molinari shouldn't have too long to wait to find out if his wish will be granted.

Mike Hall
Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.

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