12º Portugal Masters – Lucas Bjerregaard – In Vilamoura to defend the title on the Dom Pedro Vitoria Golf Course

Portugal Masters 2018

Portugal Masters

Lucas Bjerregaard has pledged to return to the stage of his first European Tour victory and will defend Portugal Masters title at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in
September 20-23.

The Danish produced one of the best displays of his career to win in Vilamoura last year and now seeks to enter history and become the first player to revalidate the title of the Portugal Masters.
Bjerregaard came to the Algarve a year ago in a delicate situation, trying to keep his European Tour card for this season, but he found his best form at the right moment and reached the last round of the tournament with the lead secured by a 1 shot.

Already twice the 27-year-old player had seen himself in that leading position at the entrance for a final round, having finished 2nd at the UBS Hong Kong Open in 2015 and tied for 3rd at the Volvo China Open in 2017.
This time he did not falter and fired 8 birdies in a last round of 65 strokes to close the tournament with an aggregate of 20 under Par, beating Marc Warren for 4 strokes.

Lucas Bjerregaard - Winner of the Portugal Masters 2017

Lucas Bjerregaard – Winner of the Portugal Masters 2017

After this victory, Bjerregaard reached another six top 10 on the European Tour, namely a 3rd place (tied) in the BMW PGA Championship, his highest ever rating in a Rolex Series tournament.
Portugal Masters is a special event for me and I look forward to trying to defend my title,” he said.
“My last round of last year is one of the best ever. Some of the shots I did under pressure were some of the best I’ve done in a long time. I really enjoyed being able to confirm my lead in the tournament after the third round and take that trophy, having already been in that position before without being able to take advantage of it, “he added.
“Since then I have been able to add some more good results this season and I would love to repeat the one made at Dom Pedro Victoria, “concluded the Danish who this year is not having any difficulties in keeping is European Tour card and is well placed in the top 40 of the Race for the Dubai of 2018. Portugal Masters was born in 2007 and in its list of champions they appear winners of Majors like the Irishman Padraig Harrington, the former # 1
Lee Westwood of England and his compatriot and partner on Ryder Cup team Andy Sullivan.

The two million euro prize money tournament returns for the 12th consecutive year to the course designed by the champion Arnold Palmer. Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, an authentic golf sanctuary in the south of Portugal.
Tickets for the 2018 Portugal Masters are on sale until Sunday, September 16th for those who wish to enjoy a reduced price, but also at the entry desks of the tournament.

Vilamoura hosting Portugal Masters with a profusion of Word-Class Golf players

Portugal Masters 2017

Portugal Masters 2017

The Portugal Masters, a European Tour golf tournament is set to begin in Vilamoura from 21st to 24th of September, 2017. A large group of Europe’s leading golfers has affirmed their interest in this great tournament which will happen in Victoria Golf Course.

Vilamoura is a resort in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It’s known for its large marina, top quality golf courses, is casino, and for many sandy beachs.

Padraig Harrington – three-time Major Champion will return to Vilamoura and Victoria Golf Course, to safeguard his title alongside Andy Sullivan who took the title in 2015. On the other hand, Shown Lowry is coming back to the scene of his first European Tour as a professional.

Danny Willett, 2016 Masters Tournament Champion, will be also in Vilamoura, onboarding additional Major-winning expertise to the Victoria Golf Course, Portugal Masters occasion. He is joined by two energizing youthful gifts, Matt Fitzpatrick and Thomas Pieters – both multiple European Tour winners who won the 2016 Ryder Cup as team mates.

In a statement, Harrington expressed his delight in returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters to defend his title. Harrington’s storied profession incorporates triumphs at The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008, the US PGA Title around the same time and six Ryder Cups appearances. The Irishman took the 2016 Portugal Masters on the Victoria Golf Course in noteworthy form, fixing his first European Visit title in eight years.

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

Vilamoura Victoria Golf Course

“Last year’s win was exceptionally fulfilling, and I was satisfied to add the title to my rundown of competition triumphs. I felt relaxed all week and awesome around the greens. It’s an occasion I’m particularly anticipating,” said Harrington, who has triumphed 15 times on the European Tour.

Lowry burst on to the scene in 2009, when he won the Irish Open as a novice, and his triumph in Vilamoura at Victoria Golf Course three years after secured his place in history as just the second player to win European Tour titles as both an amateur and a professional. He secured the greatest win of his career in 2015 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

He further stated: “This will dependably be a unique occasion for me. I was over the moon to get my first professional win on such a lofty occasion, and I’m anticipating returning to Vilamoura this year.”

Sullivan stated: “I have some remarkable recollections of this occasion in Algarve, especially from 2015. To win any trophy is phenomenal yet to take a title in Europe, before such a significant number of loved ones, was something exceptional. I can hardly wait for the comeback in September.”

On the other hand, Sullivan is anticipating his 6th appearance in Victoria Golf Course at a competition where he has delighted in huge accomplishment as of late. The Englishman seized the title in 2015 – his third win of the season following the South African Open and the Joburg Open – before completing second behind a resurgent Harrington a year ago.

Willett also will be returning to Vilamoura for the Portugal Masters for the first time since 2014. He is the first English player since Sir Nick Faldo to won the Green Jacket when he triumphed at Augusta National last year.

The five-time European Tour victor has an incredible record in the competition, with three best ten completes in five appearances. “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve teed it up in Vilamoura and I’m anticipating it. It is a place where I’ve played well over the years, and so I’m hoping for a good week,” he stated.

In the interim, his comrade Fitzpatrick is making his Portugal Masters debut. The 22-year-old appreciated a stellar 2016 battle, adding more triumphs at the Nordea Masters and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai to his maiden title at the 2015 British Masters. He additionally joined fellow Ryder Cup debutants Pieters, Sullivan, and Willet at Hazeltine a year ago.

Fitzpatrick further expressed his delight: “I’m eager to be playing at the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura for the first time. It’s a competition that I’ve heard a lot about, and I’m anticipating an awesome week in Portugal.”

Pieters, a Belgian and a three-time European Tour winner, has been at the peak of his form this season, with three best ten completes on the European Tour – including fourth place at the Masters.

Pieters put a record at Hazeltine when he became the first European Ryder Cup rookie to scoop four points after playing every match.

Padriag Harrington - Winner 2016

Padriag Harrington – Winner 2016

“This will be the fourth year in succession for me in VilamouraAlgarve, and it’s a place that I appreciate returning to. I’m pleased to be teeing it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course once more,” he stated.

Dom Pedro Golf offers five championship golf courses in the Algarve, Vilamoura´s renowned five – Victoria Golf Course (host of the World Cup in 2005 and Portugal Masters since 2007), The Old Course Golf Club, Pinhal Golf Course, Laguna Golf Course and Millennium Golf Course.

Tickets for the upcoming 2017 Portugal Masters, including hospitality bundles and packages, are accessible at europeantour.com/tickets.