Spain
The 2026 European Young Masters takes place this week at Parador de El Saler near Valencia, Spain.
120 of the continent's leading players aged 16 and under, representing 33 different countries, will compete in this edition of the championship.
Here's everything you need to know before the event gets underway on Thursday:
ABOUT THE EVENT
The event was first played in 1995, when Sergio Garcia won the Boys' title in the inaugural edition. Numerous other notable players have competed in the event in the past, including Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, Carlota Ciganda, Suzann Pettersen, Georgia Hall and Matt Fitzpatrick. Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Matteo Manassero have also won the Boys' title.
The event is played over three rounds of stroke play, with each country sending up to four players (two boys and two girls). On top of the individual Boys' and Girls' categories, medals are also awarded for the Nations' Cup, a mixed-team classification. 29 countries have entered three players or more, and will contest the Nations' Cup this year. The team score is made up of the three lowest stroke play scores out of four each day.
THE VENUE
Parador de El Saler is located in the El Saler Nature Reserve on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, around 18 kilometres from Valencia. Built in 1968 and designed by Spanish architect Javier Arana, the par-72 course runs through varied terrain, ranging from beach links to areas of Mediterranean forest.
The course is regularly ranked amongst the top layouts in Europe and has hosted a number of major professional and amateur events, including the Spanish Open, the Seve Trophy and the St Andrews Trophy. Most recently, it staged the 2022 European Amateur Championship, won by Filippo Celli of Italy.
NEW CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED
Due to the U16 age category, both of last year's individual champions have aged out of the event and will not return to defend their titles this week, meaning new names will be inscribed on the trophies come Saturday evening.
Bjarne Murr (GER) is the only player in this year's field to have previously medalled at the championship, having claimed the Boys' bronze medal last year in France.
LIVESCORING / MEDIA
Tee times, livescoring, stats, media and more can be followed throughout the week on the championship webpage here:
https://www.ega-golf.ch/content/european-young-masters-9
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