Madrid is in the running to host the Ryder Cup in 2018, the Spanish government has confirmed.
Cultural and tourism minister Santiago Fisas announced on Wednesday that a formal bid had been made, although he did not give any details about the proposal, reports the Associated Press.
However, he did reveal that the government viewed the biennial challenge between the top European and US golfers as an important economic event.
Mr Fisas explained that Ireland benefited from a €140 million (£110 million) injection into its economy when it staged the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club.
Spain last played host to the event in 1997 when the man largely responsible for popularising golf in Spain, Severiano Ballesteros, captained Europe at Valderrama.
The five-time Major winner''s team, which contained his compatriots Jose Maria Olazabal and Ignacio Garrido, survived a final-day surge by the US to record a one-point victory. |