The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship 2026 made a spectacular debut at Real Club de Golf El Prat from 7 to 10 May, and it delivered far more than anyone could have anticipated.
South African Yurav Premlall claimed the inaugural title with a record-breaking 14-shot victory, shooting 28-under par 260 across four days to produce one of the most dominant displays seen in a non-major DP World Tour event.
Professional golf returned to one of Spain’s most storied venues in emphatic fashion, and the tournament was widely considered a resounding success for Catalonia, for the DP World Tour, and for the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup.
What was the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship?
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship was a brand-new event on the DP World Tour calendar, making its debut as part of the 2026 Race to Dubai and as the opening event of the European Swing. More significantly, it was the first event in the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup, the series of DP World Tour events building towards the biennial contest being held at Camiral Golf and Wellness near Girona. Spain became the first continental European country to host the Ryder Cup twice, and this tournament fired the starting gun on that journey.
Estrella Damm, the Barcelona-born brewery celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, lent the event a distinctly Catalan identity. With 156 players from across the world, 24 of them Spanish, the tournament captured the imagination of local fans and demonstrated that El Prat is more than capable of hosting elite professional golf. A 2027 edition is already in planning.
The venue: Real Club de Golf El Prat and the Pink Course
Real Club de Golf El Prat, founded in 1912 and granted Royal status by King Alfonso XIII, provided an impeccable backdrop for the inaugural edition. The Pink Course, which measures around 7,000 yards at par 72, was described as being in outstanding condition throughout the four days of competition. Greg Norman’s design, consistently ranked among the top ten courses in Spain by Golf Digest, showcased every dimension of its challenge across the week.
The tight, technical front nine tested the field’s precision off the tee, while the elevated greens and punishing run-off areas on the back nine separated those who could manage their games under pressure from those who could not.
The par-three 6th and the demanding 17th were, as expected, the holes that defined many a round. El Prat hosted a DP World Tour event for the first time since the 2015 Open de Espana, and the Pink Course proved itself every bit as demanding a stage as its reputation suggested.
How the tournament unfolded
Yurav Premlall’s record-breaking win
Nobody in the field could have anticipated what Yurav Premlall had in store. The South African, competing in only his 29th DP World Tour start, produced consecutive rounds of 63 on the way to a 28-under total that left the rest of the field a staggering 14 shots behind. His compatriot Shaun Norris finished second, with JC Ritchie, Alejandro del Rey, and Oihan Guillamoundeguy sharing third place at 13-under. It was the largest winning margin in a non-major DP World Tour event, and it made Premlall an instant talking point across the sport. Premlall collected a winner’s share of $487,500 from the $2.75 million purse and 585 Race to Dubai points. Speaking after his win, he said the result was the reward for eight or nine months of hard work to put himself in a position to compete at the highest level.
Photo © Getty Images
The Spanish contingent
The home challenge was led by Alejandro del Rey, who emerged as the top Spanish finisher in a share of third place at 13-under, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about across the weekend. Rafa Cabrera Bello finished sixth, providing another strong Spanish result. Pablo Larrazabal, the Barcelona-born nine-time DP World Tour winner and El Prat member, competed on his home course in front of family and friends and was a popular figure throughout the week. Nacho Elvira, Angel Ayora, Angel Hidalgo, Eugenio Chacarra, Adri Arnaus, and Jorge Campillo all competed, making for the largest Spanish contingent at a DP World Tour event in recent memory.
A tribute to Seve Ballesteros
One of the most memorable moments of the week came with a tribute to Seve Ballesteros, the legendary Spaniard who had played El Prat at its original site and whose spirit loomed large over the inaugural edition of a tournament designed to celebrate Catalan golf on the world stage. The tribute was said to have had global impact and added an emotional dimension to what was already a landmark occasion.
Play the same course the professionals played
One of the most compelling reasons to visit Real Club de Golf El Prat is that the Pink Course is open to visitors. The same fairways, the same greens, and the same bunkers that hosted the inaugural Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship can be booked and played as part of a golf holiday in Barcelona. Very few tournaments in Europe offer that kind of access, and it makes a trip to El Prat something genuinely different from a standard resort break.
Standing on the 17th tee knowing exactly what the professionals faced, or reading the same borrows on the greens that decided the leaderboard, transforms a golf trip into something far more personal. Barcelona Golf has direct access to tee times at El Prat and can arrange your round as part of a broader Catalan golf package. Reach out to us if you want to get in touch about a bespoke itinerary.
Where to stay: Hotel La Mola and beyond
Hotel La Mola sits directly adjacent to the El Prat complex and is the natural base for anyone planning a round on the Pink Course. The four-star property offers 185 bedrooms, a spa, an infinity pool, three bars, and a restaurant, with guests able to reach the first tee by buggy in minutes. For those who prefer the energy of the city, Barcelona is just 30 minutes away and offers world-class hotels at every price point. A day on the Pink Course followed by an evening of gastronomy in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities is a hard combination to beat.
Plan your visit with Barcelona Golf
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship was a landmark week for Spanish golf, and Real Club de Golf El Prat announced itself as a genuinely world-class tournament venue. With the 2027 edition already in the pipeline and the 2031 Ryder Cup at Camiral on the horizon, the story of Catalan golf on the world stage is only just beginning. Barcelona Golf specialises in bespoke golf holidays across Catalonia and can arrange tee times at El Prat at preferred rates, accommodation at Hotel La Mola or in the city, transfers, and any extras you need. Whether you want to play the Pink Course, plan around the 2027 tournament, or simply explore the best golf Catalonia has to offer, every itinerary is built around your group and your schedule. Get in touch with the Barcelona Golf team today to start planning your trip.
Header image © Andalucía Golf
