Golf: Portugal Masters
Venue: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura.
Dates: Thursday 24th – Sunday 28th October 2019
Tournament Preview
The European Tour rolls on to the Algarve where the continent’s elite battle it out at the Portugal Masters. The event is relatively new on the European Tour – having been launched in 2007 but it has enjoyed a rich recent history of winners Shane Lowry, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington just some of the big names to have lifted the trophy. With less than 11 months until the start of the 2020 Ryder Cup, all eyes will be on ranking points and prize money and with a €2 million prize pot on offer, there is plenty to play for here in the Southern Portugal sunshine this week.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
There are plenty of big names descending on the Algarve this week in what promises to be a hotly contested four days of golf:-
Few players have enjoyed the consistency that Matt Wallace has this season on the European Tour. The Englishman sits 5th on the money list and will be in contention this week for sure in Vilamoura.
German Martin Kaymer looks to be returning to form on the European Tour and his impressive 5th place finish at the Open de France last week could well be the catalyst for him in Portugal.
Defending champion Tom Lewis is a two time winner at the Portugal Masters and the Englishman looks to have a game well suited to the Dom Pedro Victoria Course.
South African George Coetzee made much of the running at the Open de France last time out before fading a little but his ball striking is always impressive and that will help him here in Portugal.
Following his second place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earlier in the month, Matthew Southgate looks full of confidence and should go well here in Portugal.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first round leader picks:-
Emerging Dane Lucas Bjerregaard continues to impress on both the European and PGA tours and he could get off to a flying start in the Algarve this week.
Englishman Jordan Smith has been one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour in 2019 and he will be looking to get off to yet another flying start here.
Former Ryder Cup player Andy Sullivan has lacked form in recent months but his top 25 showing at the Open de France will be a huge boost for him as he arrives in Portugal.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in the Algarve, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
2018 runner up Eddie Pepperell will be looking to go one better this year and few would be against him following another impressive campaign on the European Tour.
2009 Portugal Masters champion Lee Westwood has historically always played well at this event and he could well find some form again here in the Algarve.
Englishman Sam Horsfield has enjoyed his breakthrough year on the European Tour and following his top 15 finish at the Open de France last week, he looks to be in good nick.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Martin Kaymer – 18.00
1st Round Leader: Lucas Bjerregaard – 30.00
Top Ten Finish: Eddie Pepperell – 2.00
