Yurav Premlall wins the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship after a historic performance at El Prat
South Africa’s Yurav Premlall was crowned champion of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship on Sunday after producing a historic performance at Real Club de Golf El Prat. The 22-year-old claimed his maiden DP World Tour title in emphatic fashion, finishing on 28 under par and 14 shots clear of his compatriot Shaun Norris.
A historic performance from Premlall
Premlall took control of the tournament in the third round and closed out the weekend with back-to-back rounds of 63 (-9), equalling the Pink Course record and delivering one of the most dominant performances in recent DP World Tour history. His numbers over the final 36 holes reflected the level of golf he produced in Barcelona: 20 birdies and just one bogey.
His 14-shot winning margin is one of the largest in recent DP World Tour history, surpassed only by Tiger Woods’ 15-shot victory at the 2000 U.S. Open.
“The last few months have been very tough and I have worked incredibly hard to get here. It is very rewarding to finally see the results and to win on a stage like this,” said an emotional Premlall after lifting the trophy.
With this victory, the South African rises to 26th in the Race to Dubai Rankings and moves to the top of the European Swing, which began this week at Real Club de Golf El Prat.
Played from May 7 to 10, the tournament marked the return of the DP World Tour to Barcelona and Catalonia, turning Real Club de Golf El Prat into the epicentre of European golf for four days.
Three Spaniards finish inside the top 10
The Spanish players also played a leading role throughout the week. Alejandro del Rey was the best-placed Spaniard, finishing tied third on 13 under par after a very solid performance on a course which, as he admitted, did not particularly suit his game.
Rafa Cabrera Bello finished tied sixth on 12 under par after producing one of the best rounds of the final day with a 66 (-6), while Eugenio Chacarra ended the week tied tenth on 11 under par, confirming his strong run of form on the circuit.
Other Spanish players who made the cut and completed solid tournaments included Iván Cantero, Alfredo García Heredia, Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira, Adri Arnaus, Rocco Repetto, Ángel Hidalgo and Quim Vidal, the only Real Club de Golf El Prat member to play the entire weekend.
A week marked by the tribute to Seve
One of the emotional highlights of the tournament was the tribute to Severiano Ballesteros. Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of his passing, the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship honoured the legendary Cantabrian golfer from the opening day of competition.
Players, caddies, referees, volunteers and fans wore navy blue and white to remember Seve on a day full of symbolism and emotion. The tribute was present in different areas of the course through images, banners and references to a figure who remains the great icon of European golf.
The Pink Course shows its demanding character once again
Throughout the week, the Pink Course once again showed why it is considered one of the great tests of golf in Europe. Accuracy from the tee, strategy and control into the greens shaped a competition that demanded full concentration from the very first shot.
El Prat, the epicentre of European golf
Beyond the sporting side, the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship once again turned Real Club de Golf El Prat into the epicentre of European golf throughout the week. The tournament required a major organisational and human effort, with more than 620 people directly involved across DP World Tour staff, tournament organisation, security and volunteers.
Close to one hundred journalists were accredited to cover the event from the tournament media centre, in a week that once again placed Barcelona and Catalonia firmly on the international golf map.
The Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup begins in Barcelona
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, part of the Race to Dubai and the opening event of the 2026 European Swing, was held thanks to the essential collaboration of Real Club de Golf El Prat and with Estrella Damm as title sponsor.
The tournament also officially launched the Road to the 2031 Ryder Cup, the journey that will culminate with the 2031 Ryder Cup at Camiral.
The DP World Tour already looks ahead to 2027
Following the success of this edition, the DP World Tour has already opened a registration form for anyone interested in receiving future updates about the tournament and a possible 2027 edition.