The Portugal Masters marks the final counting event for the 2022 DP World Tour Rankings in partnership with Rolex as Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course plays host for the 16th consecutive year.
Robert MacIntyre will look to maintain the fine form which has seen him return to the winner’s circle, while former champions Tom Lewis and Lucas Bjerregaard are among a host of players battling to earn their playing rights for next season.
If you have not done so already, you can sign up now to the official Fantasy Game of the DP World Tour and submit your six-man team before round one on Thursday: https://fantasy.dpworldtour.com/
Favourite – Robert MacIntyre
The Scotsman is riding the crest of a wave, with a title and three top 20 finishes to his name in his last four events. His second Tour title last month in Italy was achieved at the host venue of next year’s Ryder Cup, with his run of excellent form propelling him into an automatic qualification for Luke Donald’s side. MacIntyre begins the week 15th on the DP World Tour Rankings and is targeting a strong finish to the campaign over the final few events as he seeks to better his career-best 11th place finish on the season-long standings, achieved as a rookie in 2019. With no missed cuts to his name in his last six appearances on Tour, it would not be a surprise to see him in contention this weekend.
Form horse – Yannik Paul
The three-event Spanish swing has proven hugely fruitful for the DP World Tour rookie. After finishing eighth and then in a tie for 21st in Madrid and at Valderrama respectively, Paul claimed his maiden Tour title with a closing birdie in the final round of the Mallorca Golf Open on Sunday. The breakthrough win has lifted the German to 20th in the DP World Tour Rankings and assured his spot in the field for next month’s Nedbank Golf Challenge and DP World Tour Championship. The 28-year-old finished in the top ten in France prior to his arrival in Spain and has missed just one cut in his last ten events.
Dark horse – Lucas Bjerregaard
Last year, Bjerregaard arrived at the Portugal Masters battling to earn his full playing privileges for the following season. Yet, under intense pressure, he retained his card as he finished in a tie for second – his best result on Tour for three years. Unfortunately for the Dane, he faces the same predicament this week, lying 146th in the DP World Tour Rankings. Fond memories will not be in short supply for the 31-year-old who won his maiden Tour title at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Club in 2017. Good results have been hard to come by for the two-time DP World Tour winner this season, with his standout performance coming in Wales where he finished in a tie for third.
