Messinia, June 19 – Cloudless skies, idyllic Mediterranean temperatures and the historic bay of Navarino provided the perfect setting for more record-breaking action as the Legends Tour made a successful return to Costa Navarino.   Former Major winners Paul Lawrie and Michael Campbell headlined an international line-up for the 54-hole tournament in Greece. Last year’s inaugural event featured a number of low-scoring performances and two course records and this year’s tournament followed a similar path, with 1999 Open champion Lawrie carding a superb record ten-under 62 on The Hills Course in the second round to take a one-stroke lead into the last day ahead of Peter Baker.   Lawrie started well on the International Olympic Academy Golf  Course with a birdie on the first hole, but Baker took over the lead on the fourth hole, cruising to an eventual six-shot victory from Germany’s Thomas Gögele and James Kingston from South Africa.   Baker said: “I’m absolutely delighted. It was a tough day and we had to adapt and I managed to do that early on. I played nicely and putted nicely. It was just one of those days when you try not to make any mistakes, and I didn’t drop a shot all week, which is a massive thing, really.   “I want to contend for the Order of Merit again. I want to try and play well throughout the year and win tournaments.   “It was fantastic to be back in Greece at Costa Navarino. I visited for the first time last year and everything is just as good as I remember. The courses are in great condition, the hotels and hospitality are first class, and the people are so friendly. It’s a great place to play golf.”   This year’s tournament was played over two of the four courses at Costa Navarino, with the first and third rounds taking place on the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the second on The Hills Course, with both layouts designed by José María Olazábal. Players and guests chose for their stay one of the destination’s five-star resorts: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, W Costa Navarino, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, enjoying genuine hospitality and a rich offering of authentic local experiences.   Joakim Haeggman, one of seven former Ryder Cup players who were in the line-up of 60 players from 16 different countries, commented on the destination following another memorable week.   The Swede said: “The weather was superb, and the golf courses were once again in immaculate condition. A lot of players bring their families here and they do so for one good reason; this is probably the best place that we come to through all the summer.” Defending champion Clark Dennis added: “I’d never been to Greece before last year. We spent a couple days in Athens, which was great, with the history and so much to see. Then we came to Costa Navarino and it’s incredible here. Great hotels and four

    La Hacienda Links Golf Resort provided a stellar stage for the Gasol Foundation Golf Invitational as star golfers and passionate amateurs including tennis legend Rafael Nadal united against the threats posed by childhood obesity. Taking place from June 19-22, the tournament saw players tee off on both of the resort’s championship courses – the Links and the Heathland – and bask in the luxury of the five-star Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol Hotel, which opened earlier in 2025. Among the stars lining up alongside Gasol – a six-time NBA All-Star and one of the greatest European basketball players of all time – were tennis great Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, and of top Spanish golfers Ángel Hidalgo, Ángel Ayora, Andrea Revuelta and Paula Martín. Spanish footballers past and present including Alvaro Morata, Marcos Alonso and Artiz Aduriz were among the other star names to support the hugely successful event, which began with a ceremonial shot hit from a historic bunker dating back to World War Two and concluded with a glittering gala dinner and prize auction which raised €116,000 for charity. A keen golfer, Gasol and his team of Revuelta, Adri Arnaus and Rudy Fernández were in contention to take the top prize throughout before eventually having to settle for second place behind the winning quartet of Hidalgo, César Penalva, Pablo Masilla and Juan Delgado. Providing the setting for the action was La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, one of the rising stars of European golf which has gone from strength to strength in recent years thanks to a significant period of investment. The venue’s flagship Links course, which offers unique views of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar and Africa was elevated by architect Kurtis Bowman in a major redesign three years ago; the neighbouring Heathland layout has benefitted from a renovation of its own in recent years to create one of Europe’s greatest 36-hole golf venues. In 2024, one of the resort’s most eye-catching additions – an opulent new halfway house – was named the industry’s best at the annual World Golf Awards. Gasol said: “With this team, we’ve set the bar very high for our first edition. I’m very excited that this event will become a benchmark for continuing to grow in promoting healthy habits and giving that opportunity to children who don’t currently have it.” Nadal, a keen golfer, added: “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have a privileged life are obligated not only to contribute to our foundations, but also to motivate and inspire others to do their part and make this world a better place. “My passion for golf began because it was the only sport I could play without risking injury, but it’s a sport that has something unique about it. Today we played with two incredible players, Paula and Andrea. They can’t be compared to us, but we can have a good time despite the difference in skill level; that doesn’t happen in any other sport.” Javier Jimenez

Opened in 2008, this 27-hole championship golf complex was created by Robert Trent Jones II. Situated on 450 acres of rolling countryside in the Djursland region of Denmark, the course consists of three 9-hole loops – Sand, Sky and Forest. Each course offers a different experience, with challenges ranging from water hazards to bunkers to undulating greens. When it first opened it earned the title of ‘best new golf course in the world’ from Golf Magazine, and has since remained one of the best in Europe, with Top100golfcourses.com ranking it as the 42nd best in Continental Europe. Carl Aage Nielsen, owner of Lübker Golf Resort, said: “Following the hosting of the DP World Tour’s Danish Golf Championship in 2024, we are looking forward to strengthening our links with the European Tour Group and building a golf legacy at the resort.” “2024 was a very exciting year for us as in addition to hosting a DP World tournament, we were also very pleased to receive a World Golf Award for being Denmark’s Best Golf Course. Whilst the 2024 tournament was the first major competition at Lübker, the venue has hosted several other tournaments and events, including the Nordic Golf League and the European Challenge Tour.” “The resort, on-site accommodation and private real estate ensure there is a vibrant community feel within the resort. Ask any golfer to name a golf course in Denmark and Lübker will be the first thing they say. We work hard at ensuring our guests have an enjoyable experience and leave wanting to return.” Ian Knox, Head of European Tour Destinations, added: “We look forward to working closely with Carl Aage and his team to capitalise on the benefits of Lübker Golf Resort hosting the DP World Tour Danish Golf Championship 2024 and continuing to elevate the venue as one of Europe’s top destinations.”