Golf: Portugal Masters
Venue: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura.
Dates: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th November 2021
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. All eyes will be on acquiring 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:-
Englishman Matt Wallace heads up an impressive field here in Portugal and he will be keen to put on a performance as the season draws to a close.
Belgian Thomas Pieters is always in amongst it in the biggest events on the European Tour and he will be keen to propel himself back into the winners enclosure here this week.
Sam Horsfield hasn’t been able to hit the heights of last season on the European Tour, but his game looks tailor made for conditions here in Portugal and he could sneak under the radar.
Big hitting Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts in recent months and he could well come into contention here in favourable conditions in Portugal.
South African George Coetzee hasn’t been in the best of form lately, but his ball striking is always impressive and that will help him 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:-
Few players on the European Tour have been able to live with Laurie Canter of late and as runner up at this event last year, he could get off to another flyer.
Englishman Jordan Smith has been one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour in 2021 and he will be looking to get off to yet another flying start here.
Fellow Englishman Andy Sullivan is capable of producing some magical golf and there have been glimpses in 2021 that the man from the West Midlands is getting back to his best.
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:-
Dutchman Joost Luiten hasn’t been able to replicate his best form as yet in 2021 and the 2010 Portugal Masters runner up will be keen to feature heavily come Sunday once more.
Frenchman Victor Perez is an absolute enigma and if he brings his A game, he could well end up firmly in contention in the Algarve on Sunday afternoon.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson is another man capable of fantastic golf and with conditions set fair in Portugal, he could be a low scoring candidate in all 4 rounds.
Portugal Masters betXchange.com Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Matt Wallace – 16/1
1st Round Leader: Laurie Canter – 25/1
Top Ten Finish: Victor Perez – 9/2
