Tour winner makes shock nationality change to end Ryder Cup hopes

The five-time DP World Tour winner Adrian Otaegui has made a historic move to change nationality, ending his hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup. 

Otaegui, who grew up in San Sebastian and has represented Spain throughout his entire career, will now switch allegiances to the United Arab Emirates.

The 32-year-old has lived in the UAE for the past 13 years and will now compete for the Middle Eastern country across all tours in the future, with the aim of one day winning an Olympic medal for the region.

The surprise announcement was made on Tuesday in a press conference at the UAE’s National Olympic Committee headquarters in Dubai.

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“The UAE is my home,” Otaegui said. “I love its culture and how it has become one of the most innovative nations in the past 50 years.

“My goal is to represent the UAE globally, win an Olympic medal, and raise its flag on the podium.

“At the same time, I feel that young Emirati golfers need a role model to inspire them to develop and enhance their skills. I am excited to contribute to the growth of golf in the UAE and assist the UAE Golf Federation in establishing an elite programme to create future champions.”

Otaegui has long been successful on the formerly known European Tour, most notably winning the Andalucia Masters in 2022 and the Volvo China Open in May.

Before that, he had a glittering amateur career that included a British Boys Championship title and three victories in the Spanish Amateur Championship.

He was mentored by Europe’s 2012 winning Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and played most of his junior golf in Fuenterrabia, a seaside resort in the Basque country.

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But Otaegui has now almost certainly forgiven his chance to join the pantheon of Spanish-born legends to wear blue-and-gold.

He was in contention to make Luke Donald’s 2023 winning team after becoming the first former LIV Golf player to win on the traditional tours in Andalucia.

His hopes were derailed last summer, however, when he was forced to serve a four-tournament ban by the DP World Tour for appearing in conflicting LIV events, and his chances quickly faded.

The world No.173 finished the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in 13th and was in 38th position in the early European Ryder Cup standings.

This, however, marks an entirely new chapter for Otaegui.

He will now work closely alongside the UAE’s golf federation to support young players from the region, as well as representing them at the highest level.

“This is a remarkable achievement not only for Adrian but also for golf in the UAE,” the federation chief General Abdullah Al Hashmi said.

“We will continue to develop and promote this sport to the highest international standards. Adrian has long been an ambassador for Emirati golf, and his integrity on and off the course is the standard we aim to instil in all players. We wish Adrian, his family, and his team the best of luck and look forward to more accomplishments in the near future.”

Otaegui’s move will be in effect from his next event, the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa from 5-8 December.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.