The Portugal Masters has been added to the DP World Tour’s 2022

The Portugal Masters has been added to the DP World Tour’s 2022 schedule, with the event confirmed to take place from October 27-30 at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura.

It will be the 16th consecutive edition of the tournament which became part of the DP World Tour in 2007, that has been held on the Dom Pedro Victoria Course since its first edition.

The €2million event will conclude a four-event late season ‘Iberian Swing’, with the Portugal Masters following three consecutive weeks in Spain comprising the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid (October 6-9), Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters (October 13-16) and the Mallorca Golf Open (October 20-23).

Last year, Belgium’s Thomas Pieters became the 16th different winner of the Portugal Masters with a two-stroke victory at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.

The former Ryder Cup player closed with a round of 68 to hold off the challenges of France’s Matthieu Pavon and Danish pair Lucas Bjerregaard - the 2017 champion - and Nicolai Højgaard, who surged through the field with a final round 64.

It was Pieters’s fifth DP World Tour title and the 30-year-old went on to add a sixth just two months later when he claimed a maiden Rolex Series title at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January.

Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament Business Officer for the DP World Tour, said: “Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course has provided plenty of drama and excitement over the years, we so we are delighted to be returning for the 16th consecutive staging of the Portugal Masters.

“We appreciate Turismo de Portugal’s long-term support of this tournament, which showcases Portugal to our global audience.”

Stefano Saviotti, Chairman of Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, said: “The Portugal Masters is an extremely important showcase of golf in the Algarve and we are pleased to welcome the world’s finest golfers to the Dom Pedro Victoria Course, in Vilamoura.

“This has been a great year for Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, and to host the DP World Tour Tour once more in our golf course and hotels, allows us to confirm why Vilamoura has a reputation as one of Europe’s most requested golf destinations. We look forward to hosting such a notable event and crowning the 2022 champion.”

Luis Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, said: “Portugal has been consolidating its international prestige as a premium golf destination, which is mainly down to the quality and diversity of courses offered throughout the country.

“The numerous awards and distinctions that we have collected only serves to confirm this, and the confidence that the DP World Tour places in the country takes on a special importance. In each of the last 15 years, Portugal has hosted one of the tournaments on the Tour’s calendar, Portugal Masters.

“To once again host this internationally renowned event confirms that Portugal not only has the perfect conditions for casual golfers to play and practice, but also the capacity and facilities to host professional events of the highest international standard.”

“The 16th edition of Portugal Masters attests to the continuous commitment of all of the tournament’s partners, Turismo de Portugal as well as the regional entities and companies in the Algarve, all sharing the same vision in pursuit of a product of excellence.”

Dom Pedro Victoria is one of five premium golf courses within the Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection.

#unitedphotopress

Read More

Portugal Masters returns to Algarve

The European Tour has added the Portugal Masters to its 2021 schedule, with the rearranged tournament now set to take place at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura, from November 4-7.

This will be the 15th consecutive edition of the event which became part of the European Tour in 2007.

The €1.5 million event was originally due to take place at the end of April but was postponed due to travel difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It has now been rescheduled for 4-7 November, replacing the Volvo China Open which, due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, will be played as a national event only this year and will not be sanctioned by the European Tour.

South African George Coetzee claimed the title when the Portugal Masters was last played in September 2020, finishing two shots clear of Englishman Laurie Canter to secure his fifth European Tour title.

He joined a list of champions that includes Lee Westwood (2009), Shane Lowry (2012) and Pádraig Harrington (2016).

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to confirm the rescheduled Portugal Masters as we continue to reshape the end of our season following yesterday’s announcement of the Mallorca Golf Open.

“Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course has been a popular venue with our players, and it has produced plenty of drama, so we are very pleased to be able to return for the 15th year in a row. We are grateful to the venue for accommodating us at a busy time of the year and to Turismo de Portugal for their long-term support of this tournament.

“Naturally, it is disappointing we are unable to sanction the Volvo China Open again this year, but we have long-standing relationships with Volvo and the China Golf Association, and we look forward to that event returning to our schedule in 2022.”

Stefano Saviotti, Chairman of Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection “The Portugal Masters is an incredibly important showcase of golf in The Algarve and we are delighted to once again welcome some of the world’s finest golfers to the Dom Pedro Victoria Course.

“After a difficult period, the European Tour's return to our facilities enables us to demonstrate why Vilamoura and Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection has a reputation as one of Europe’s most sought after golf destinations. We look forward to hosting such a prestigious event and crowning the 2021 champion.”

Luis Araújo, President of Turismo de Portugal, said: "The Portugal Masters is of great importance for the tourism sector in Portugal, providing great media exposure of the whole country. It confirms that Portugal continues to be an excellent destination for all golfers, and an international presence in terms of major sporting events. This is a very prestigious competition, and it will be an important moment to showcase the international prestige of our country.”

Read More

European stars set to gather for Portugal Masters

A host of Europe’s leading golfers have confirmed their participation in the Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course from September 21-24, 2017.

Three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington will return to Vilamoura to defend his title alongside Andy Sullivan, who took the title in wire-to-wire fashion in 2015, and 2012 winner Shane Lowry, who is returning to the scene of his first European Tour win as a professional.

2016 Masters Tournament Champion Danny Willett brings further Major-winning pedigree to the event. He is joined by two exciting young talents – both already multiple European Tour winners – in 2016 Ryder Cup team mates Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters.

Harrington’s storied career includes victories at The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008, the US PGA Championship in the same year and six Ryder Cup appearances. The Irishman captured the 2016 Portugal Masters in impressive fashion, sealing his first European Tour title in eight years.

“I’m delighted to be returning to the Portugal Masters to defend my title,” said Harrington, who has triumphed 15 times on the European Tour.

“Last year’s win was very satisfying and I was pleased to add the title to my list of tournament victories. I felt relaxed all week and great on and around the greens. It’s an event I’m very much looking forward to.”

Sullivan is looking forward to his sixth appearance at a tournament where he has enjoyed significant success in recent years. The Englishman captured the title in 2015 – his third win of the season following the South African Open and the Joburg Open – before finishing second behind a resurgent Harrington last year.

Sullivan said: “I have some fantastic memories of this event, particularly from 2015. To win any trophy is fantastic but to take a title in Europe, in front of so many friends and family, was something special. I can’t wait come back in September.”

Lowry burst on to the scene in 2009 when he won the Irish Open as an amateur, and his victory at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course three years later secured his place in history as only the second player to win European Tour titles as both an amateur and a professional. He secured the biggest win of his career in 2015 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The Irishman said: “This will always be a special event for me. I was over the moon to get my first professional win at such a prestigious event, and I’m looking forward to coming back to Vilamoura this year.”

Willett, who became the first English player since Sir Nick Faldo to don the Green Jacket when he triumphed at Augusta National last year, is returning to the Portugal Masters for the first time since 2014. The five-time European Tour winner has an impressive record at the tournament, with three top ten finishes in five appearances.

Willett said: “It’s been a few years since I’ve teed it up in Portugal and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a place where I’ve played well over the years, so I’m hoping for a good week.”

Meanwhile, his compatriot Fitzpatrick is making his Portugal Masters debut. The 22 year old enjoyed a stellar 2016 campaign, adding victories at the Nordea Masters and the season- ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai to his maiden title at the 2015 British Masters supported by Sky Sports. He also joined fellow Ryder Cup debutants Pieters, Sullivan and Willet at Hazeltine last year.

Fitzpatrick said: “I’m excited to be playing at the Portugal Masters for the first time. It’s a tournament that I’ve heard a lot about, and I’m looking forward to a great week in Vilamoura.”

Belgium’s Pieters, a three-time European Tour winner, has been on fine form this season, with three top ten finishes on the European Tour – including fourth place at the Masters. He made history at Hazeltine when he became the first European Ryder Cup rookie to win four points, after playing every match.

Pieters said: “This will be the fourth year in a row for me in Portugal, and it’s a place that I always enjoy coming back to. I’m delighted to be teeing it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course again.”

Tickets for the 2017 Portugal Masters, including hospitality packages, are available at europeantour.com/tickets

Picture caption: Peter Adams (tournament director) 2017 / © Carlos Sousa / United Photo Press

Read More

PORTUGAL MASTERS | Alvaro Quiros win

Alvaro Quiros with portuguese minister of economy

UPPW : Congratulations, it's been a long time coming and we all knew you had the talent; did you enjoy it?

ALVARO QUIROS: Well, just sometimes. It was a tough day for me today, but, it's okay. We are last in the first position so that's the only thing that matters.

You don't look that excited, and your fans are all going berserk; you've got to be pumped? ALVARO QUIROS: Of course, I'm very happy, but three minutes ago, it was time to finish my score. I was trying to finish my card today, and I have to be focused until the last moment, otherwise it would be a bad thing.

The golf course set up very well for you this week the way you drive the ball and you putted well; so it was a good mixture?
ALVARO QUIROS: Yes, I was hitting the ball very well from the tee to the green, putting very poor on the first three rounds. But today was amazing. Basically it's the best club today and with a lot of luck, I have to say that I had a lot of luck putting.

Where do you go from here, your second win on Tour?

ALVARO QUIROS: I have no idea. The main target was to try to qualify for the Volvo. This is the most important thing for me. The Volvo Masters, it's the last edition in my practically hometown. It's not my home club, Valderrama, but it looks like it. It's a great satisfaction. Physically, I'm tired, but you know, I have to.

So you'll just go back to the hotel tonight and go to sleep at 8:30?

ALVARO QUIROS: No, I'm going to come back to the girlfriend's house and after this, I think, I don't know what is going to happen. Probably I'm going to rest.

Read More