THE Portugal Open returns to the Morgado G&CC near Portimao on the Algarve for the first time in seven years.
It is also a dual ranking with the European Challenge Tour. The last time the Portugal Open featured in the European Tour international schedule it was won by Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn in 2010.
Two Major winners, Paul Lawrie (The Open, 1999) and Mike Weir (the Masters, 2003), are taking part this weekend.
The Morgado (par 73) has a links feel to it, flat fairways and Scottish inspired bunkers, but is inland surrounded by trees. Not a great field for this one but hopefully we can pick a winner.
Trevor Fisher Jnr has had a relatively good season, finishing T8 in the Trophee Hassan II. He was also runner-up in the Zimbabwe Open in April and T5 in the BMW SA Open on the European Tour in January. Although he hasn’t won since the SA Open in 2015 he always challenges and looks a good bet here.
Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring has begun to show some form in his last two outings, finishing T13 in both. In his first three years on the Tour he has only had one top-three finish but this could be his chance.
With a weakened field the chances are there for a few players to regain form or get their first win under the belt. In the final round of the Trophee Hassan II he hit a six-under 67 and hopefully that round can lead to some good golf this weekend.
Recommended Bets
1.5pts ew Trevor Fisher Jnr (Ladbrokes, 20-1)
1.5pts ew Jens Fahrbring (Coral, 50-1)
Ace Venturer