Ricardo Melo Gouveia set New Record at Portugal Master
Ricardo Melo Gouveia
Portuguese star golfer recorded the best al-time performance of a Portuguese golfer with 15 below par as the Irish equaled the best tournament result on 23 under.
Ricardo Melo Gouveia failed the ambitious goal of becoming the first Portuguese to finish the Portugal Masters in the top-10, but has every reason to feel proud as he leaves Vilamoura with a new national record in the most important Portuguese tournament integrated on the European Tour, with a prize money over 2 million euros.
The other national record that the Portuguese # 1 aimed, the best result so far is that was not achieved and will continue in the hands of Ricardo Santos with its 16th place in 2012.
Nevertheless, Ricardo Melo Gouveia 22nd place (tied) is the third best ever result of a Portuguese after such 16th place of Ricardo Santos and 21st reached by Filipe Lima in 2007.
The 28,800 euros he pocketed converted into points, allowing him to climb from 95th to 92nd place in the Race to Dubai, but only the top-70 will qualify for the Turkish Airlines Open, two weeks from now. “Ricky” must now dream of many dropouts to enter into the Turkish millionaire event.
Ricardo Melo Gouveia marked the 10th Portugal Masters and was also marked by it, because for many years, played for Vilamoura Golf Club: “The reception on the 18th hole was the greatest I’ve had since I play the Portugal Masters, was great feel this unconditional support, feel the affection of the public. This year I was in a lot of tournaments that always appeared two or three Portuguese. In the Middle East and in places where you did not expect, but this week is very different. We are in Portugal and it is great to feel all this support. “
Who is not Portuguese but also has represented once the Oceânico Golf, received a huge support of most of the 9,484 spectators who came today through the gates of the Victoria Golf Club was Padraig Harrington, as to say in the press conference that he felt playing “at home away from home.”
“Paddy” has played the Open de Portugal in several courses, and the World Cup in this same course designed by Arnold Palmer and this was his sixth participation in the Portugal Masters, where he had been 3rd in 2009. It was therefore time to win in Portugal, a country that suits you and where you come to play “from the amateur days in 1999 ‘.
It was a last exciting journey, with several changes in the lead and everything was decided only in the last putt on the last hole of the last group. Andy Sullivan, last year’s champion watching on television what was happening, waiting for a slip of Harrington to reach the play-off, but eventually witnessing a final fantastic chip and putt of his rival.
