Harrington Headlines in Portugal

Padraig Harrington will bring his Major presence to the Portugal Masters at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura from October 15-18. Harrington, a property ambassador for the Oceânico Group, has committed to this year’s €3 million event and will be among the favourites to claim the title having recently returned to the kind of form that saw him dominate golf’s grand slams between July 2007 and August 2008, when he won two Open Championships and the USPGA Championship in the space of six Majors. “I am looking forward to getting back down to the Algarve for the Portugal Masters,” said the Irishman, who is currently positioned eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking. “I have always enjoyed my time there and have a close relationship with the team at Oceânico. It is one of those destinations where we are guaranteed great weather and are always presented with a great golf course that is in perfect condition.” Simon Burgess, Oceânico Group Director, said: “Padraig has always been someone we have admired. When the opportunity presented itself to align ourselves with someone like Padraig we jumped at the chance. He is one of the hardest workers in the game and at the same time one of the most grounded. He has deserved every bit of success he has had over the last couple of years and we are delighted to welcome Padraig back to the Algarve.” The Portugal Masters plays an integral part of the Oceânico Group’s investment in golf, a policy that reaches all levels of the sport: from the elite and The European Tour’s Portugal Masters to the grass roots of the game with the Oceânico World Kids Golf Championship. It also represents a major commitment from the Portuguese National Tourism board, who are the main sponsor of the Portugal Masters for the third consecutive year and whose vision has seen the Algarve cement its position as one of the premier golf destinations in Europe. George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The Portugal Masters has, over the past two years, become one of the most popular tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule. Through a combination of outstanding facilities, an outstanding prize fund of €3 million great weather and perfect playing conditions, the tournament has been able to attract many of the world’s best players, highlighted by Padraig Harrington’s entry to this year’s event. We look forward to working with our partners at Oceânico Group and Tourism Portugal to further strengthen the event.”