( CNN ) -- Golf 's European Tour has been forced to cancel October 's Andalucia Masters . The Spanish event , formerly known as the Volvo Masters , has been a fixture on the European circuit since the first staging of the tournament in 1988 , but Spain is currently in the grip of recession . Tour chief executive George O'Grady expressed his disappointment that the October 18-21 event , won by Spaniard Sergio Garcia in 2011 and which is staged at the Valderrama golf club , has been called off at such late notice . `` We have been long term partners with the Junta for over 25 years , '' O'Grady told the Tour 's official website , referring to the region of Andalucia 's government . `` In that time we have seen together with many other events , the Volvo Masters staged in Andalucía from 1988-2008 , two American Express World Golf Championships , won by Tiger Woods in 1999 and Mike Weir in 2000 , and the jewel in the crown , the 1997 Ryder Cup . `` We have worked together to promote the region , and the Junta de Andalucía and the European Tour have enjoyed an exceptionally strong and committed long term partnership . '' Despite the setback , O'Grady hoped the Valderrama tournament could return to the European Tour 's calendar in the future . `` We feel the disappointment not only for our members and all committed to broadcasting and reporting this tournament and the region on a global scale , but also for the many visitors , especially from northern Europe , who coincide their vacations with the tournament . `` We will work with the Junta to rectify this situation both now and in the future . '' When Valderrama staged the Ryder Cup in 1997 , Seve Ballesteros ' European Team beat the U.S. 14 ½ - 13 ½ . The 39th Ryder Cup match will take place later this month at the Medinnah Country Club in Illinois .
The European Tour announce the cancellation of the Andalucia Masters . 06/02/2019 - 02:02 'El Chapo' escapes from prison in Mexico The Valderrama course hosted the Ryder Cup in 1997 , when Europe beat the U.S. Europe will defend the Ryder Cup against the U.S. at Medinah this month .