Latest news with #PGATourChampions
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Former major winner Ernie Els is set to host groundbreaking new PGA Tour Champions event in Portugal that has a jaw-dropping $3m prize purse
In a groundbreaking new announcement, four-time major champion Ernie Els is set to host a brand new PGA Tour Champions event, The Portugal Invitational, in 2026. The tournament will mark the first time a PGA Tour-sanctioned individual stroke play event will be hosted in the European country, and will arrive at the South African's newly refurbished Els Club during the week of July 27. The Els Club, which is located in Vilamoura, is set to welcome a field of 78 players, including World Golf Hall of Fame stars and PGA Champions Tour members. Through the Tour's strategic alliance with the DP World Tour, members from the Legends Tour will also be invited to participate. They will all compete for a jaw-dropping prize purse of £2.23million ($3m) across this stunning track, with golfing legends Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jimenez both speaking of their excitement at the news. All three rounds of the event will be televised on the GOLF Channel, with the Portugal Invitational set to be sandwiched between the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure Senior PGA Championship on the Legends Tour, culminating in what is set to be a simply outstanding showing of golf in Europe. The PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal de Algarve have joined forces to bring this event to European shores, with the group announcing a five-year strategic partnership to host Tour Champions events in Portugal. 'We are thrilled to partner with Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, Turismo de Algarve and Ernie Els to announce this exciting, first-of-its-kind PGA TOUR Champions event in Portugal,' PGA TOUR Champions President, Miller Brady, said. 'This Tour is a global showcase of the game's legendary players, and we know the great golf fans in Portugal and throughout Europe will welcome the opportunity to watch them compete in person at The Els Club Vilamoura.' Portugal is one of the greatest places to play golf in Europe, but at present, only the Hotel Planner Tour will visit the European country in 2025, for the Open de Portugal at the Royal Obidos Spa and Golf Resort, in Vau Obidos. Els, who won The Open in 1994 and 1997 and the US Open in 2002 and 2012, is currently leading some exciting and innovative renovation works on the course, which was formerly known as the Victoria Course. This illustrious track had previously hosted the Portugal Masters between 2007 and 2022. Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Shane Lowry have won at this venue in the past. The South African, who has led renovation works at some of the world's most iconic golf courses, including Wentworth's West Course, spoke of his excitement over the renovations, with the Els Club in Vilamoura set to open in 2025. 'Whenever our firm designs a golf course, we always have an eye on what makes it a successful tournament venue, so this was always a big part of our plans for The Els Club Vilamoura,' Els said, speaking on the huge announcement. 'It's wonderful to see those plans now coming to fruition and we're grateful to PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady, the team at Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve, for sharing in our vision and bringing this exciting new tournament here. 'Working with Arrow Global and everyone at Vilamoura has been an absolute pleasure these past few years; they had a clear vision and mission from the get-go, which allowed us to focus our efforts on creating the very best golf course that we could. We're very proud of this course; it looks incredible. 'There are a lot of great holes, a lot of memorable holes, and overall, it's a really well-balanced test of golf. The practice facilities here are world-class, too. Everything about The Els Club Vilamoura makes it the ideal tournament venue. The players are going to love it, not just the golf course but this whole destination. It's such a beautiful part of the world.' The Algarve is one of the most famous destinations in the world for golf, with approximately 1.5billion rounds played annually. And according to John Calvao, Fund Principal at Arrow Global Group, the addition of the Portugal Invitational to the PGA Tour Champions Schedule signifies a huge leap in bringing some of the greatest players of the game to Portugal's shores. 'This announcement signifies the convergence of several heavyweights in the game of golf; the renowned golf destination of the Algarve, the might of Ernie Els' design, and the legendary golfers who will compete on these fairways,' Calvao said. 'For Arrow Global, this is a major step in realizing our vision for Portugal as one of the best global golf and lifestyle destinations, and we believe this tournament will showcase the world-class quality of the course and the strength of our long-term commitment to the region.' Aside from upgrades to the golf course, Arrow Global Group are investing in Vilamoura as a region, adding multiple hotels while also announcing their intention to build a beach club. 'We've made a significant investment in the destination, elevating it with world-class hotels, a completely renovated marina, upgraded golf courses, and a high-end equestrian center. We're also further developing high-quality real estate that reflects the lifestyle our guests and residents seek. Soon, we'll be adding a country club and a beach club, making this a destination that truly has everything for families and all generations to enjoy.' Andre Gomes, President of the Algarve Tourism Board noted the significance of this announcement. 'Hosting the Portugal Invitational in Vilamoura is a historic milestone for the Algarve and for Portugal. This partnership with PGA TOUR Champions further raises our destination's international profile and confirms the Algarve as an essential reference point in European golf,' Gomes said. 'The Els Club Vilamoura, now the venue for an event of this magnitude, reflects our commitment to combining quality, sustainability and reputation with a distinctive tourist offering capable of attracting elite competitions. 'The Algarve has been Portugal's leading golf destination for decades, with around 1.5 million rounds played annually, and continues to invest in a diverse, contemporary and environmentally responsible offering. This tournament raises the bar and reflects the regional ambition to establish the Algarve as a year-round tourist destination, with a direct impact on the economy, employment and promotion of the region. We are ready to welcome the big names in golf history and show the world everything the Algarve has to offer — on and off the course.'
USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
PGA Tour Champions announces new event in Portugal at golf course designed by Ernie Els
The PGA Tour Champions is heading to Portugal. Officials from PGA Tour Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve announced Monday a five-year deal to host a new professional golf tournament in Portugal. The Portugal Invitational will debut the week of July 27, 2026, and will feature a field of 78 players, including World Golf Hall of Fame and PGA Tour Champions members, as well as Legends Tour members. It will be the first PGA Tour-sanctioned individual stroke play event to be held in Portugal and will feature a purse of $3 million USD. It will follow the ISPS Handa Senior Open and precede the Staysure Senior PGA Championship on the Legends Tour in a compelling three-week swing of European golf featuring some of the game's most iconic players. 'We are thrilled to partner with Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, Turismo de Algarve and Ernie Els to announce this exciting, first-of-its-kind PGA Tour Champions event in Portugal,' PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady said in a release. 'This Tour is a global showcase of the game's legendary players, and we know the great golf fans in Portugal and throughout Europe will welcome the opportunity to watch them compete in person at The Els Club Vilamoura.' The event will be contested at The Els Club Vilamoura, designed by Els – a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions and World Golf Hall of Fame member. The newly-redesigned Els Club hosted the DP World Tour's Portugal Masters from 2007-22, producing winners such as Shane Lowry (2012) and Padraig Harrington (2016). Portugal's only prior hosting of a PGA Tour-sanctioned event came at the 2005 World Cup of Golf, a former team competition. 'Whenever our firm designs a golf course, we always have an eye on what makes it a successful tournament venue, so this was always a big part of our plans for The Els Club Vilamoura. It's wonderful to see those plans now coming to fruition and we're grateful to PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady, the team at Arrow Global Group and Turismo de Portugal and Turismo de Algarve, for sharing in our vision and bringing this exciting new tournament here,' Els said. 'Working with Arrow Global and everyone at Vilamoura has been an absolute pleasure these past few years; they had a clear vision and mission from the get-go, which allowed us to focus our efforts on creating the very best golf course that we could. We're very proud of this course; it looks incredible. There are a lot of great holes, a lot of memorable holes, and overall, it's a really well-balanced test of golf. The practice facilities here are world-class, too. Everything about The Els Club Vilamoura makes it the ideal tournament venue. The players are going to love it, not just the golf course but this whole destination. It's such a beautiful part of the world.' All three rounds of the Portugal Invitational will be televised on Golf Channel. Longtime PGA Tour executive Todd Rhinehart, who ran a number of the Tour's biggest events and most recently oversaw PGA Tour Latinoamérica as Vice President and Executive Director, was announced as the tournament director of the Portugal Invitational.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy's honest views on rivals as golf star shows his true colours before the Open
Rory McIlroy is always quick to offer his opinion on his rivals in the world of golf, with the Northern Irishman sharing his thoughts on a number of his fellow pros Rory McIlroy is known for his straight-talking and honest style. The 36-year-old has previously taken swipes at LIV Golf and more recently had a pop at PGA Tour Champions, declaring that something must have gone "terribly wrong" if he ends up joining the senior circuit at 50. Despite his forthright views, McIlroy is still a hit with fellow golfers. His charm, charisma and sometimes brutal honesty has endeared him to his colleagues. McIlroy's knack for dishing out praise to his competitors as freely as they laud him has helped him keep things amicable with many big names in the sport, even as they vie for supremacy on the greens. Mirror Sport takes a deep dive into McIlroy's thoughts on his fellow golf stars. Scottie Scheffler With both McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler sitting pretty at the pinnacle of the golf rankings, you'd think their rivalry might sour their camaraderie. However, the two maintain a remarkably respectful rapport, often entering tournaments as the leading contenders. Ahead of the Houston Open in March, McIlroy was particularly complimentary about Scheffler, both in terms of his character and his professional achievements. The Northern Irishman, who boasts five major titles, said: "I think what Scottie's done the last couple years in golf is amazing. It's great to have him - he's great for the game. "What he did last year, I don't think it gets talked about enough. His season last year is up there with one of the all-time great seasons in the history of the game. "He's an amazing player, he's a great person as well, he's got a great family. It's good to see him doing well – like it's good for the game and it's nice to see nice people succeed. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Scottie." Tommy Fleetwood McIlroy has been equally generous in his praise of Tommy Fleetwood, having forged a strong friendship with the Englishman following their triumphant pairing in the 2023 Ryder Cup, where they earned the nickname 'Fleetwood Mac'. When Fleetwood successfully defended his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship crown in spectacular style back in 2018, McIlroy showed remarkable grace despite trailing by four shots. The Masters winner said: "It's incredible. Tommy had a great year last year, won the Race to Dubai, No. 1 in Europe and then to just keep going. This week, defending champion, to put that round of golf together out there today, I mean, to shoot 65 in those conditions is seriously impressive. "He's a great addition to the world of golf, a great addition to the European Tour and he will be a great addition to the Ryder Cup team in September. For Tommy to defend, and in such style against such a great field, it bodes well not just for him, but for European golf as well." Jon Rahm Jon Rahm's decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour in December 2023 may have put a strain on his relationship with McIlroy, but it hasn't stopped the Holywood-born star from acknowledging the Spaniard's shrewd move. Despite their once-close bond, Rahm's surprising departure from the PGA Tour, after previously expressing his commitment, tested their friendship. McIlroy, along with Tiger Woods, were outspoken against players leaving for LIV Golf since its launch in 2021. However, McIlroy's views seem to have evolved over the past 18 months showing a notable divergence from Woods' stance. Speaking on The Overlap in 2024, McIlroy said: "I think Jon, he's smart, and I think he sees things coming together [between LIV Golf and the PGA] at some point. So it's like, 'I take a lot of up-front money' - which is his prerogative, and he can absolutely do that - 'and if things come together, I'll maybe play LIV for a year, come back, play on the Tour, maybe some team golf on the fringes.' "So it's a smart business move, it's opportunistic. I think he sees things will come back together. And he's in a lucky position; he's exempt for all the majors, there's not one person who wouldn't want him on a Ryder Cup team because of how good he is. So he was in a great position where there wasn't a ton of risk involved - but I've no problem with Jon going." McIlroy added: "I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start. I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position. "We all turn professional to making a living playing the sports that we do, and I think that's what I realised over the last two years. I can't judge people for making that decision, so if I regret anything, it was probably being too judgmental at the start." In 2024, McIlroy also lavished praise on the two-time major champion, calling him one of the best players in the world over the past five or six years. Shane Lowry McIlroy's bond with Shane Lowry has strengthened, as both live in close proximity in south Florida. The Holywood native estimated they meet about five times a week when at home, often playing practice rounds together. Their families have also grown close. McIlroy openly admires Lowry's approach to life and golf, particularly how the Irishman openly displays his emotions and savours his time on tour. McIlroy said: "I think Shane is very good at having fun, and I need more of that in my life." Speaking on Netflix's 'Full Swing', McIlroy shared his personal struggles with juggling his roles, stating he wishes he was as laid back as Lowry. He added: "I've struggled with the balance of being the best golfer, trying to be the best husband or the best dad and sometimes I get overwhelmed and it can get all a bit too much for me. "Then I see how Shane does it with a lot of ease and sometimes you have to focus on one or the other, and, you know, he's really good at that. I see him as a good role model for me in some ways. I can learn a lot from him in how he handles everything in his life."
Irish Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy 'got it wrong' with dismissive comment that irked Open champion
Rory McIlroy has faced criticism for his blunt remarks about not wanting to join the PGA Tour Champions once he hits 50. The 36 year old golf ace, who recently clinched his first Masters title this year, completing a career Grand Slam, is still at the top of his game. After overcoming a tough period post his Augusta victory, McIlroy is now tied for the lead as the final round of the Scottish Open looms. When quizzed before the 2025 Players Championship in March about his prospects on the PGA Tour Champions, the Northern Irishman was quick to dismiss the idea, stating "absolutely not". "I think when I've achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don't think I can maybe do that anymore," he said. "I'd also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don't want to be out there embarrassing myself. I'd like to walk away maybe a little before I should. Put it that way. "Look, I've said a lot of absolutes in my time that I've walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has gone terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50." McIlroy's comments sparked a response from several veteran golfers on the Champions tour, including former Open Championship winner Ernie Els. The South African hit back with: "Interesting to read @McIlroyRory comments today. At 35 years old I was also bullet proof saying things about not playing past 50. "I'm 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. @ChampionsTour golf is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf. Our sponsors and partners are wonderful companies and people. Competition is a powerful tool!" With eligibility for the Champions Tour starting at 50, McIlroy has plenty of time to reconsider his stance. And his former agent, Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, disagreed with McIlroy's implication that senior tour players are still only competing for the money. Chandler told Betway: "That can be from being unsettled at home. It can be because his game's not quite right. It's easy for him to say right now, 'I'm not right'. But I think he'll reset completely, and he'll go again next February with a brand new attitude and mind again. "He owes nobody anything apart from himself. Because he's still an underachiever in a funny sort of way. He should have won his Grand Slam 10 years ago. "So I think you'll find that he comes next year and has a full go at it again, and he'll retract his senior statement in about 10 years' time because that's what he does, isn't it? I mean, the Ryder Cup was an exhibition when he was with me. Look at him now. "He's not bad at turning back as he changes his mind. That senior comment will definitely be like that because they don't play for the cash. "He's got it wrong. He thinks they're playing for the cash. They're not. They're playing because they like competing at golf. "Ernie Els is up for it to be amongst the lads, not to try and earn 50 grand. When Shane Lowry's a senior and a few of his [McIlroy's] peers, like Justin Rose and whoever are around him, then it'll be different." McIlroy on Saturday expressed confidence in his game, saying he is close to recapturing his Masters-winning form after a strong third-round performance at the Scottish Open. He carded a 66 to share the lead with American Chris Gotterup on 11 under. Looking ahead to next week's 2025 Open Championship, 2014 winner McIlroy reflected on his recent dip in form, saying: "I think I've had a little bit of a lull, which I feel is understandable. When you do something that you've been dreaming your whole life to do, it was a huge moment in my life, my career. "I think I just needed that little bit of time. And to be back here for the last couple weeks, and feel like I could actually digest all of it, I feel like I came to this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year." (Image: Christian Petersen, Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
NBC Sports
13-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Steve Allan wins wire-to-wire at Dick's Sports Goods Open
Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner share their takeaways from Rory McIlroy's performance at the Scottish Open, discussing why he was "a different player" since his Masters win and his form heading to Royal Portrush. ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Steve Allan became the first wire-to-wire winner in Dick's Sporting Goods Open history Sunday, closing with a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke victory. Allan finished at 18-under 198 at En-Joie Golf Course for his second PGA Tour Champions victory of the season. The 51-year-old Australian opened Friday with a 63 for a two-shot edge and had a 69 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Boo Weekley into the final round. After playing the first seven holes Sunday in 1 under with two birdies and a bogey, Allan birdied five of the next six and parred the last five. 'It was tough. It was tough, even yesterday, hanging in there, and today early on it was a bit rough with the driver,' Allan said. 'In the rough a lot and just managed to hang in there. Then on the back nine, made a few putts.' He also won The Galleri Classic in late March at Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, California. Jason Caron was second after a 68. Weekley (70) and Notah Begay III (67) tied for third at 13 under, and Soren Kjeldsen (64) was another stroke back with Michael Wright (67) and Jeff Sluman (68). Padraig Harrington wasn't back to try to win for a fourth straight time, skipping the event to play in the Scottish Open. He also has The Open at Royal Portrush and The Senior Open at Royal Porthcawl.
