Whilst the Portugal Masters has developed a reputation as something of a working holiday for some players, for others this week will be anything but relaxed as they seek to secure their cards for next season at the 11th hour.
Thus, whilst defending champion Andy Sullivan and his Ryder Cup team-mate Thomas Pieters can enjoy their visit to the Algarve, safe in the knowledge that they have long since guaranteed their places in the money-spinning Final Series which gets underway in Turkey in two weeks’ time, Eddie Pepperell will be staring nervously over his shoulders as his peers strive to claim the all-important position he currently occupies – 111th in the Race to Dubai.
With David Lingmerth’s affiliate membership effectively removing the Swede from the Race to Dubai Rankings, the top 111 players on conclusion of the Portugal Masters will be guaranteed a berth on The European Tour next term.
For Pepperell and the other players drinking in the last chance saloon, therefore, the tournament will be a nerve-jangling, nail-biting affair with more plot twists than a soap opera.
It is the golfing equivalent of the football league play-offs to gain promotion to the Premier League – make it to the ‘promised land’, and vast riches await. Miss out, and you risk falling into the sporting wilderness.
Pepperell had the opportunity to secure his immediate future having got into a prominent position in last week’s British Masters supported by Sky Sports, but a closing round of 70 for a tied 22nd finish means the young Englishman still needs a strong showing in Vilamoura to ensure he retains his playing privileges for another season.
But at least it arrested an alarming slump in form which had seen him miss the cut in all six of his appearances prior to the British Masters.
In contrast, Craig Lee, the man immediately above Pepperell in the Race to Dubai, has missed just two cuts in his last eight starts, but in all likelihood the Scotsman will again need to make the weekend to prevent the vultures from circling.
Should Pepperell miss the cut, the player best placed to take advantage of his misfortune is Jason Scrivener, who would need to finish at least 52nd place or better in order to leapfrog the Englishman and so avoid a return trip to the Qualifying School Final Stage, where he earned his card last year.
Similarly, Oli Fisher, who was tipped for stardom when he burst onto the professional scene ten years ago, will be bidding to earn a late reprieve in Portugal. The Englishman needs to finish 41st or better to have a chance of remaining on the top tier next term, whilst his compatriot Graeme Storm – currently 116th in the Race to Dubai – is also in need of a big performance in the Algarve, with 29th or better the aim for the 38 year old.
With so many permutations possible, players can tie themselves in knots trying to determine what is required. But, as the players are so fond of saying, “winning takes care of everything” – and never is that more true than this week.
