2022 Portugal Masters Preview

THE PORTUGAL MASTERS represents the last-chance saloon for number of players on the DP World Tour. It is the final regular tournament of the 2021-22 season and offers the final chance to secure playing privileges for the year ahead.

One man for whom this is a make-or-break week is 47-year-old David Drysdale. The Scot has played in 573 tournaments and collected around £6m in prize money. He has come close to winning several times but is still looking for that elusive first success.

And he has endured a miserable time of it this season, playing in 30 events, missing a bucketload of cuts and languishing in 175th place in the DP World Tour rankings. If he is to tee it up next year he is going to need to finish first or second in Portugal. 

He came agonisingly close to a maiden European Tour title, in his 498th start, at the 2020 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Having narrowly missed a putt for birdie at the 18th to clinch it in regulation play, he and Jorge Campillo battled it out in a play-off which went to the fifth extra hole, where Campillo birdied for a second win of his own.

He has won twice on the Challenge Tour, in 2004 and 2006. Married his childhood sweetheart Victoria in 2004 and she also joins him on tour as his manager and caddie.

Drysdale has been an ever-present since coming through qualifying school in 2008, and he will probably receive a number of sponsor invites next year. But he would love to secure his playing rights.

He had previously qualified for the European Tour in 2001, 2006 and 2007 through qualifying-school,

Prior to 2009, Drysdale's best finish on the European Tour had been as runner-up at the 2006 Russian Open In March 2009, he equalled that when he finished second in the Open de Andalucia - that followed  a third place in the Joburg Open and saw Drysdale qualify for the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

In October 2009, he briefly became the highest ranked Scottish golfer in the world rankings. 

Drysdale has been here before. In 2014, he had to finish in the top seven at the ISPS Handa Perth International to keep his card and holed a 30-foot putt on the final green to finish fourth. How he would love to repeat such heroics this week.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

At the other end of the scale, Robert MacIntyre will be looking to continue his recent fine run of form as he attempts to climb back into the top 50 in the world rankings. The Scot had endured a disappointing run of form until winning the Italian Open in September.

He followed that victory with an eighth place at the French Open, a tie for 20th at the Dunhill Links Championship and a tie for ninth at the Andalucia Masters, where he finished with a disappointing round of 74.

MacIntyre now has his sights firmly set on making his Ryder Cup debut in Italy next year, and it would be a foolish person who bets against him achieving that.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2015 by Andy Sullivan, in 2016 by Padraig Harrington, in 2017 by Lucas Bjerregard, in 2018 by Tom Lewis, in 2019 by Steven Brown, in 2020 by George Coetzee and last year by Thomas Pieters.

The Course

Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course is a par 71 measuring 7,191 yards and was designed by Arnold Palmer. It is widely regarded as being one of the best courses in the Algarve. It features plenty of sand and several water hazards. Water comes into play on the two finishing holes.

Form Guide

Robert MacIntyre has returned to the sort of form that took him into the top 50 in the world rankings. He won the Italian Open recently and his good form has continued since then. The Scot is the joint favourite at 14/1 on Betway.

To Win:

Robert MacIntyre. Back to his very best (14/1)

Five to Follow:

Robert MacIntyre. Fabulous putter (14/1)

Jordan Smith. Enjoying a fine season (14/1)

Matt Wallace. Some positive signs recently (25/1)

David Drysdale. Do or die for the Scot (400/1)

Ricardo Gouveia. Home favourite (50/1)

This tour preview article was written in collaboration with Betway