The inaugural Portugal Invitational, the first-ever PGA TOUR Champions event in Europe, commenced at The Els Club Vilamoura. The tournament, running from 31 July to 2 August, features a 78-player field competing for a $3 million (US$3 million) purse. Key figures from golf, tourism, and government attended the opening, highlighting the event's significance.

The tournament is a collaboration between PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, and Turismo do Algarve. John Calvão, Co-Founder of Arrow Global, expressed pride in the event, stating, “This event is an important part of our vision to showcase Portugal, the Algarve and Vilamoura.” Miller Brady, President of PGA TOUR Champions, noted the strong field, including five World Golf Hall of Fame members, emphasising the event's quality.

Ernie Els, a World Golf Hall of Fame member and designer of the venue, remarked on the collaborative effort to bring the tournament to life. “I’m incredibly proud to see everything come together,” he said. The event is expected to attract significant international attention, with coverage in over 170 countries.

The Portugal Invitational is anticipated to boost Portugal's profile in tourism markets. Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, highlighted the tournament's potential to attract visitors year-round. The event is part of a five-year partnership, aiming to establish Portugal as a premier golf destination

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