Lowdown: The European Tour is on the Algarve this week for the Portugal Masters at the Oceânico Victoria course in Vilamoura. England's Tom Lewis is the defending champion and a strong field has assembled.
As the Race to Dubai heats up, a number of Europe's top players will be in Portugal trying to improve their positions on the ranking. Some with a view towards finishing as high as possible after the Dubai World Championship, others to make the top-60 and qualify to play in the Dubai World Championship.
Padraig Harrington will also make a start and he's looking forward to returning to a venue where he has contended in the past. He's been under par in each of the eight competitive rounds he's played over the Oceânico Victoria Course.
"I was in contention in 2009 when Lee (Westwood) won, and hopefully I will be again this year," he said. "Portugal is always a great place to play golf."
The Victoria in Vilamoura is part of Oceânico's impressive portfolio of courses. Opened for play in 2000, it was designed by Arnold Palmer. It's an American-style track with generous fairways and large, rolling greens. In 2005 the course hosted the World Cup, won by Wales.
Venue: Oceânico Victoria Course, Vilamoura, Portugal Date: October 11-14 Course stats: par 72, 7,231 yards Purse: €2,250,000 Defending Champion: Tom Lewis (-21)
Branden Grace - Last week's winner, he's now up to third on the Race to Dubai. He's taken four titles this year and he's missed only four cuts. He's won back-to-back already this season and he could do it again.
Alex Noren - The Swede finished strongly at St Andrews to end the week in third. He also has a strong record in this tournament: He's never missed the cut.
