The 2nd Pinheiros Altos Classic
João Carlota ended his competitive year in 3rd place at the 2nd Pinheiros Altos Classic, a 10,000-euro prize money golf tournament held at the Pinheiros Altos golf course, Algarve.
Playing the same Pines and Corks holes as he did at the 1st Pinheiros Altos Classic, João Carlota showed that it was not by accident that he got his two best rounds in the Portugal Pro Golf Tour. He pocketed 950 euros for 2nd place and won another 2000 euros for 3rd position. The 2nd place prize money was lower as it was shared by four players, while this 3rd position was individual, hence having earned a higher cash prize.
The Portugal Pro Golf Tour is an international circuit sanctioned by the PGA of Portugal, the Portuguese Golf Federation and the Jamega Pro Golf Tour, which runs from November to March. Some of the most important players in major circuits come to Portugal to train at this time of year and the competitiveness is great.
Pinheiros Altos
Carlota was in a good position to win, but the second nine holes were not great, with 5 bogeys, making it impossible to stop English Gary King who added his second trophy in this circuit, winning 2000 euros.
In February of this year King had already triumphed in the 3rd Penina Classic at the Penina golf course, Algarve. It is very probable that this second title takes him to the leadership in the ranking of 2018/2019 Portugal Pro Golf Tour, although the ranking has not yet been published.
João Carlota explained, “I did not feel any pressure to fight for the title. Things just did not fall on my side and I did not play my best golf in the second nine,” he said. Up until then he had added 3 eagles and 5 birdies.
Pinheiros Altos
In addition to João Carlota, three Portuguese players completed the 2nd Pinheiros Altos Classic in the top-10, among 41 players: national champion Tomás Silva and Vítor Lopes shared 6th place, and Hugo Santos 9th, the second top-10 followed by the oldest of the Santos brothers. Another highlight is the presence of Sara Gouveia, the only female player among 41 participants. The former Amateur National Vice-Champion is already preparing for the next season, taking advantage of the fact that the golf course is close to home and will always gain some experience in professional events.
The results and classifications of the Portuguese players proved that playing under Par is no longer enough to guarantee a top-10.
The 2nd Swing of the Portugal Pro Golf Tour finishes with the San Lorenzo Classic, at the San Lorenzo Golf course, Algarve, with 10 thousand euros in monetary prizes. João Carlota will no longer participate in this tournament.
