Golf legends descend on Vilamoura for Portugal Invitational – Portugal Resident
Some of the biggest names in golf history will be teeing it up in the Algarve next week as Vilamoura hosts the first-ever Portugal Invitational, bringing the PGA Tour Champions to Portugal for the first time.
Taking place at The Els Club Vilamoura from July 31 to August 2, the tournament will feature 78 players from 17 countries, including five World Golf Hall of Fame members, six Ryder Cup captains and 18 former Ryder Cup players.
The star-studded field includes tournament host Ernie Els, alongside Pádraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, K.J. Choi and Steven Alker.
Adding to the impressive line-up is Tom Lehman, the 1996 Open Championship winner, former world number one and captain of the victorious United States Ryder Cup team in 2006.
Collectively, the players competing in Vilamoura boast an extraordinary record, with 224 PGA Tour victories, 247 PGA Tour Champions wins, 20 major championships and 44 senior major titles, making it one of the strongest golfing fields ever assembled in Portugal.
The tournament also marks a milestone for Portuguese golf as the PGA Tour Champions – the world’s leading over-50 professional circuit – stages an event in the country for the first time.
More than golf
While the action on the course is expected to be the main attraction, organisers are also planning a range of activities aimed at families and visitors.
Among the highlights is an exclusive preview of Playhouse, a new entertainment venue planned for Vilamoura near the beach. Visitors will be able to experience part of the concept, including retro arcade games, pinball machines, table football and a racing simulator developed by the Estoril Racing Lab.
A dedicated Kids Corner will also feature supervised activities, giant games, music, bubble machines and face painting, while children aged 16 and under can attend the tournament free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
The event is expected to showcase Vilamoura not only as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations but also as a venue capable of hosting major international sporting events, organisers say.
The Portugal Invitational will be broadcast live in the United States on the Golf Channel, while international coverage will reach more than 170 countries and territories through the PGA Tour Champions’ global broadcast partners. In Portugal, the tournament will be shown on Sport TV.
Tickets are available through the tournament’s official website. Daily tickets cost €30, while a three-day pass is available for €80.
