Wide open at Estoril Open de Portugal
IN: News | European PGA | Estoril Open de Portugal (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 02 Apr 2008
The European Tour is in Portugal this week for the Estoril Open de Portugal as it continues its swing through southern Europe.
The event is being played for the third occasion at the Arthur Hills designed Oitavos Golfe at Quinta da Marinha near Lisbon on the west coast of Portugal. The course is built amongst the sand dunes adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and has proven a demanding test especially if the winds pick up as they did for much of last year’s event.
The defending champion is the Spaniard Pablo Martin, who in winning last year became the first amateur to win a professional event in Europe in 45 years. The 21-year-old Oklahoma State graduate has not recorded another top ten since his win but has made the cut in two recent PGA Tour events suggesting a repeat, while a surprise, is not completely out of the question.
The field is an interesting mix of old and new, established and newcomers and is wide open in terms of who might take the title.
South African Charles Shwartzel finished third behind Martin last year and was 8th in the only other time the tournament has been played at this course in 2005. Schwartzel has played well in the events he has played in season 2008 finishing 6th in Malaysia and third in Qatar in his most recent European Tour events and also played well on the Sunshine Tour also.
Johan Edfors must break through again soon. His form has been consistently good in 2008 and he is close to the form that saw him a three time winner in 2006. He has not played this venue in the past but that should not prevent him from having a good week.
Alexander Noren is in his second season on the European Tour and appears to be building towards his first win. His 4th place last week in Spain indicates his current form and as the 54 hole leader in this event last year, at a time when he was considerably less experienced, his credentials are good for a another solid week.
Graeme Storm finished third in the event last year and he will be buoyed by his very strong showing (6th) at Doral two weeks ago in much stronger company than this. He should do well.
Brian Davis has been playing on the PGA Tour for most of 2008, making five of nine cuts and playing reasonably well last week in New Orleans. He played this event last year finishing a rather ordinary 54th but as a PGA Tour player he deserves some sort of consideration.
Players in form of late who also stand a chance are Peter Hedblom, Oliver Fisher and last week’s winner Thomas Levet although back to back wins are a rare feat unless your name is Tiger Woods.
Matthew Millar will have Australian company this week when Peter Fowler joins him in the field. Millar just keeps improving and New Zealander Gareth Paddison will add to the Australasian representation.
