Wednesday 19th September 2012, London - The Algarve is preparing to welcome the golfing elite to Portugal next month as it hosts the seventh edition of the Portugal Masters competition at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura from 11th to 14th October 2012.
Former World Number One, Martin Kaymer, is excited to return to Portuguese soil, he said: ‘I’m really looking forward to playing in Portugal again this year. I think it is one of the best golf courses we play all year and I always look forward to going back. It has a good prize fund, a good field and is a very important part of my schedule.’
‘We can stay in the hotel on site and the course itself is excellent. I’ve finished seventh and eighth in the past and it’s good to know that I still have the course record at 11 under par from five years ago.’
The 27 year old German missed out on the Portugal Masters in 2007 with England’s Steve Webster taking the title. However, Kaymer shows key potential with ten European Tour titles, a first Major Championship in the 2010 US PGA Championship, a winning Ryder Cup debut for Europe in Wales the same year and his elevation to World Number One in early 2011.
England’s Tom Lewis, last season’s Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, will also defend his title in the €2.25 million tournament, which will be an important factor in determining who will take ‘The Race to Dubai’ crown at the end of the season.
At this time of year, the Algarve provides some of the best golfing conditions in Europe with mild temperatures and calm winds. The region is therefore a favourite for Britons looking to play overseas with its eclectic choice of championship standard golf courses.
Kaymer can’t wait to get back to a venue and a tournament close to his heart. He added: ‘The field is strong, the crowds are usually great fun, the organisation is good and I always remember the Pro-Am being fun to play, so overall it is a very nice week… The whole combination of the hotel, the fans and the course means it is always a comfortable week and it helps me play well.’
For keen golfers hoping to catch some of the Portugal Masters action, the region is just a three hour flight direct from the UK into Faro. Over seven UK airlines including Monarch, BA, Jet2, BMI, Ryanair and Easyjet serve the Algarve from 26 regional airports making the region one of the most accessible European golf destinations.
Advance tickets for the Portugal Masters 2012 are available now with substantial savings. Admission to the Pro-Am on 10th October is €10, with Any One Day Adult passes costing €15 (€20 on the gate) and concessions €12 in advance or €15 on the gate. Adult Season tickets are priced at €45 (Wednesday to Sunday) compared to €55 on the gate. To buy tickets, log on to: www.europeantour.com/tickets
For more information on golf in the Algarve please visit: www.algarvepromotion.pt/golf
