Anticipation continues to build for Europe’s first ever PGA TOUR Champions event, as iconic major winners Bernhard Langer, Pádraig Harrington, and José María Olazábal headline the latest stars confirmed for this summer’s Portugal Invitational.
The legendary trio elevates an already impressive field, including the likes of Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie, set to descend on Vilamoura, with the first edition of the event taking place at the Els Club Vilamoura from 27 July – 2 August.
Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, former world number one David Duval, Ryder Cup icon Thomas Bjørn, and multiple major winner Ángel Cabrera have also been confirmed as part of the 78-strong field competing for a $3 million prize purse in the heart of the Algarve.
Widely regarded as the most successful player in PGA TOUR Champions history, Langer continues to redefine longevity at the highest level of the game. The German great holds the all-time record for victories on the senior circuit with 47 wins, has claimed an unprecedented six Charles Schwab Cup titles, and is the only player to record victories in 18 consecutive seasons.
Langer will arrive in Portugal determined to add yet another chapter to his remarkable career as he approaches his 69th birthday later this year.
Former Ryder Cup captain and golfing great Pádraig Harrington also adds further depth, continuing a highly successful second chapter of his career on the PGA TOUR Champions. One of the most consistent performers on the senior circuit, the Irishman has amassed multiple victories since turning 50, including two U.S. Senior Open titles, and remains a regular contender in the season’s biggest events.
60-year-old Olazábal, who claimed the prestigious green jacket in 1994 and 1999, is eyeing his first PGA TOUR Champions success, this time on his home continent.
Olazábal said: “It’s always an honour to compete alongside so many great champions, many of whom I have shared important moments with throughout my career. Events like this are a celebration of the game’s history and the level of competition remains incredibly high.
“To be competing at a course designed by Ernie is very special, especially as it is so close to home. The Algarve is a wonderful destination for golf, and it will be great to experience another tournament in front of some fantastic European support.”
Duval, who was one of Tiger Woods’ most prominent rivals during the late 1990s, adds further prestige to the field. The American captured The Open Championship in 2001 and will also be seeking his maiden PGA TOUR Champions victory in his fourth season on the circuit, bringing a blend of experience, competitiveness, and global recognition to Portugal’s historic first PGA TOUR-sanctioned event.
Duval, who won 13 PGA Tour titles during a peak stretch from 1997–2001, will return after attending the launch of The Els Club last summer, where the sense of expectation and tournament buzz began to build following the event’s announcement.
Tournament Director Todd Rhinehart added: “The breadth and quality of players being confirmed really demonstrates the momentum behind the Portugal Invitational.
“To see so many major champions, Ryder Cup figures and global winners coming together for our inaugural event underlines the significance of bringing PGA TOUR Champions to Portugal for the first time.”
Tickets for the Portugal Invitational are now on sale, with early-bird pricing available until 1 June. General admission tickets for tournament play from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August are priced from €20, while a three-day pass covering all three competitive rounds is available from €50. Children aged 16 and under will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticketed adult, with one child permitted per adult ticket.
A range of Pro-am and hospitality experiences are also available, offering guests the exclusive opportunity to tee it up alongside some of the most decorated players in the history of the game as they prepare for one of the largest prize purses on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. In addition, bespoke destination packages combining accommodation, golf and premium tournament hospitality provide a unique way to experience Vilamoura and the Algarve during tournament week.
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