european tour

The Open de Portugal: 50 years of golfing tradition

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For over half a century, the Open de Portugal has stood as a testament to excellence in professional golf. Originating in 1953, this annual tournament has been a cornerstone of Portugal’s golfing landscape, showcasing local talent and international stars.

Originally part of the European Tour from 1973 to 2010, the tournament underwent a brief hiatus before resurfacing in 2017 as a dual-ranking event on both the European and Challenge Tours. This revival marked a significant chapter in the tournament’s history, reaffirming its status as a premier golfing event. The promoter of the traditional Open is the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe, which is celebrating 75 years of life in 2024.

Currently, the tournament is only on the Challenge Tour calendar, and this season, it will be played again at Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort from September 12 to 15, with a prize pool of 270.000 euros. The defending champion is the Englishman Marco Penge. 

Throughout its storied past, the Open de Portugal has witnessed the triumphs of renowned players such as Sam Torrance, Colin Montgomerie, and Miguel Angel Jiménez, alongside emerging talents like Matt Wallace and Garrick Higgo. Their participation has not only elevated the competition but has also cemented its reputation on the global stage.

The Open de Portugal venues

The tournament has been hosted at prestigious venues across Portugal, including Estoril, Royal Óbidos, Morgado, Penina, Vale do Lobo, Troia, Penha Longa, and Quinta do Lago, each providing a challenging and picturesque backdrop for the world’s finest golfers. Despite its diverse locations, the Open de Portugal has remained a beacon of distinction, attracting enthusiasts from far and wide to witness the drama unfold on the fairways. At Tee Times Golf Agency, we offer the best packages for those who want to play on courses that have hosted the Open, enjoying their Portugal golf breaks at the highest level.

While the tournament has yet to see a Portuguese champion, players like José-Filipe Lima have come close, embodying the nation’s growing prowess in the sport. Regardless of the outcome, each edition of the Open de Portugal has served as a platform for seasoned professionals and rising stars to showcase their skills and compete for glory.

Notable moments, such as Colin Montgomerie’s record-breaking performance in 1989 (264 strokes), have etched themselves into the annals of golfing history, adding to the tournament’s rich tapestry of achievements. The Open de Portugal has provided countless memories for players and spectators, from dramatic playoffs to historic milestones.

As the Open looks ahead to its next chapter, it remains a symbol of Portugal’s enduring passion for golf and its commitment to fostering excellence in the sport. With each passing year, the Open de Portugal continues to captivate audiences, ensuring its rightful place among the world’s premier golfing events.

In summary, the Open de Portugal is a testament to 50 years of golfing tradition, embodying the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship that define the sport. As it enters its next era, the contest remains a beacon of excellence, inspiring generations of golfers to pursue their passion and strive for greatness on the green.

Photos: © Rodrigo Gatinho / Golftattoo / Federação Portuguesa de Golfe

Spain golf – the “Canary Swing”, first of three consecutive stages of the European Tour to the Canaries Islands

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Costa Adeje Golf Course. Canary Islands

Costa Adeje Golf Course

Canary Islands

The excitement for the best golf on the old continent is evident in the three rounds of the Canarian Swing, a professional golf tournament played at Costa Adeje Golf Course in the wonderful Spanish island of Tenerife. The tournament is intended to be a one-off event and will be played the week after the Tenerife Open also at Costa Adeje Golf Course, creating a three-week swing of events in the Canary Islands.

It was not a championship with an excessive presence of the best players. Were only three on the first page of the standings: Garrick Higgo (65), Antoine Rozner (68) and John Catlin (82).

The South African Garrick Higgo will be just one of the names to follow, as the United States is already looking at its enormous progression since winning the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open at the Meloneras Golf Course.

The follow competitions will be at Real Club Valderrama Golf Course, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and the Spanish Open at Villa de Madrid Golf Course.

With these confirmations, Spain has once again become one of the great organizers of the European Tour tournaments.

For Tee Times Golf Agency these tournaments are of great importance and visibility for both Spain and the Resorts and Golf Courses involved, such as Costa Adeje Golf Course a wonderful Golf Resort which boasts an 18 hole golf course of par 72 and a 9 hole golf course of par 33.
For very pleasant rounds at Costa Adeje Golf Course we suggest the Week Experience golf package for 5 rounds, as well as the next-door golf courses; Las Américas Golf Course (18 holes, par 72), Abama Golf Course (18 holes, par 72) and Amarilla Golf & Country Club (27 holes, par 71) where 18 or more rounds with or without buggy can be appreciated at very special rates.
For an even more complete and pleasant stay, do not miss the deluxe and charming hotels; Vincci La Plantacion del Sur *****, Iberostar Grand Hotel El Mirador ***** and H10 Atlantic Sunset ***** where several night packages will be prepared according to your dreams.

Source: opengolf.es

Ryder Cup star and former “Race to Dubai” champion, Tommy Fleetwood, will return to the Portugal Masters at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura, from 10 to 13 September.

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Tommy Fleetwood will return to the Portugal Masters - Victoria

Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy Fleetwood will participate for the sixth time in the European Tour tournament, having competed in the Algarve every year between 2012 and 2016.

«I am looking forward to returning to the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course. It is a beautiful area of the world and I have beautiful memories of when I played there in the past,” said Fleetwood.

«In 2020, I started well in the Race to Dubai, with two positive weeks in the Middle East, including a 2nd place tied behind Lee Westwood in Abu Dhabi. As with everyone else, my season was suspended shortly after, but I am focused on a strong conclusion of the season and I think the Portugal Masters will be the ideal place in Europe to face a good list of participants, before heading to the US Open the following week, ”he added.

The 14th edition of the Portugal Masters is part of the “Iberian Swing” of the European Tour. Play right after the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters, which ended last Sunday in Spain. The Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos concludes this series next week.

The European Tour resumed its competitive activity in July with two “dual-ranking” events in Austria, and soon afterwards with the new six-week “UK Swing”, fulfilling the strategy of, whenever possible, holding events in succession in chosen regions, avoiding long trips whenever possible.

As with all the tournaments in the 2020 rectification calendar, the Portugal Masters will be subject to the European Tour Safety and Health Program (COVID-19 Health Strategy) and, consequently, spectators will not be allowed on the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.

The Portugal Masters will also be covered by the new “Golf for Good” initiative of the European Tour, which aims to support the local communities where the European Circuit passes, honoring the true heroes, as key elements of the front line, at the same time that it intends promote the health benefits of golf.