The Colombian Open returns to Bogotá: the local delegation looks to shake off two years of foreign dominance.

The 77th edition of the Colombian Open enters its final stretch this Thursday, with competition for professionals and the first amateur division.

The tournament returns to the Bogotá Savannah after ten years; this time, to the Pueblo Viejo Country Club in Cota, which previously hosted the event in 2003: that year, the champion was Mario Julián Hurtado.

The two most recent editions of the Open were won by foreign players: Mexican José de Jesús 'Camarón' Rodríguez won in 2023 at the Club Campestre de Pereira, and last year, Brazilian Alexandre Rocha won at the Campestre de Medellín in Llanogrande.

Defending champion Rocha leads the professional field, with the Colombian star Felipe Álvarez seeking local recognition by winning this tournament after winning two of the six stops on the Colombian Allianz Professional Tour, where he currently holds the top spot.

"Playing in Bogotá makes me feel very comfortable, regardless of the field. I'm going to sleep in my own bed, be with my parents. That gives me a certain peace of mind. I've known Pueblo Viejo since I was little; it's a field I know suits my game. For now, I have high expectations and very good energy," said Álvarez.

The list includes names such as Jesús Amaya, four-time Open champion (1993, 2004, 2005 and 2021); David Vanegas (winner in 2014); and others such as Nicolás Quintero, Esteban Jaramillo, Jesús Rivas, Juan Camilo Vesga, Juan Martín Hoyos and Mateo Gómez, as well as international players Rafael Becker (Brazil), Benjamín Saiz (Chile) and Ben Cohn (Ecuador).

The fans will play in different groups and at different times, with 49 registered players, and with Carlos Hernández (Serrezuela), as defending champion, with other important names such as Carlos Ardila (Independiente), Juan Carlos Velásquez (Ruitoque), Carlos Rodríguez (Carmel), Alejandro Prieto (Country Bogotá) and Alejandro Velásquez (Lagartos).

"I don't normally check the field; I know it's going to be a very prestigious tournament. I always set a goal: if I play my best and beat the Carlos Ardila I've got lined up against this week, I'll have a great performance," Ardila said.

Noah Grimaldi (Farallones), Samuel Portilla (Ruitoque), Jorge Andrés Páez (CC Bucaramanga), Lucas Quintero (Independiente) and Santiago Leal (Country Bogotá) stand out on the list of junior players who will aspire to the first category title.