Golf: Portugal Masters
Venue: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura.
Dates: Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th September 2020
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:-
Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood will once again be looking to stake a claim on the European Tour, having been struggling for form on the PGA Tour lately.
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.
Chinese superstar Haotong Li has been plying his trade on the PGA Tour for most of the season and looked in excellent form when finishing 8th at Celtic Manor last month.
Spaniard Jorge Campillo enjoyed an excellent week at the Andalucía Masters and although he faded on the Sunday, he will be hoping to go well again this week in the Algarve.
Swede Marcus Kinhult was in contention throughout last month’s UK Championship and he will be keen to build on his decent season so far this week 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:-
New Zealander Ryan Fox is a solid performer on the European Tour, and he will be desperate to get off to a good start here in Portugal.
Englishman Jordan Smith has been one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour in 2020 and he will be looking to get off to yet another flying start here.
Defending champion Steve Brown hasn’t been in the best of form since his impressive win on this course 12 months ago but he could be reenergised by a trip back to Villamoura this week.
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 2019 form as yet in 2020 and the 2010 Portugal Masters runner up will be keen to feature heavily come Sunday once more.
Englishman Paul Waring finished 3rd at this event back in 2013 and he could be one to watch in a congested field this week.
Welshman Jamie Donaldson showed glimpses of his best golf at the Andalucia Masters last weekend and despite fading on Sunday, still finished in the top 10.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Tommy Fleetwood – 5.50
