The Staysure Legends Tour arrives in Portugal this week for the inaugural Portugal Legends Championship, with Ryder Cup captains and Major champions teeing it up at the spectacular Pinheirinho course in Comporta.

A stacked field is headlined by two victorious Ryder Cup captains – Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn – along with former US Open champion Michael Campbell, 1999 Open winner Paul Lawrie and a host of Ryder Cup players and Tour winners.
Located to the south of Lisbon in the pine forests of the beautiful Alentejo region, Pinheirinho was built 15 years ago but has never been open to the public. As the stars of the Staysure Legends Tour tee it up this week, a global audience will finally have the chance to see one of Europe’s finest layouts in all its glory.

“As soon as I saw the schedule for this tournament, I said straight away that I wanted to come. I made a point of playing this event, because I want to learn more about Comporta and I’m very happy to be here,” said the 2014 Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley, who has a very close attachment to the country as a resident of Portugal.

Speaking ahead of the event, McGinley added: “I haven’t played the course yet. I’m looking forward to seeing it and it will be a great week. I feel very comfortable here. I have a home in the Algarve, I’ve lived in Lisbon and I have my academy down here too, at Quinta do Lago. I don’t play to the level that I used to but playing golf is still the thing I love to do the most and I’m really looking forward to the week.”

After victory at Gleneagles in the 2014 Ryder Cup, McGinley’s win was emulated by Thomas Bjorn at Le Golf National in Paris four years later – and the Dane is also impressed by what he’s seen of Pinheirinho.

“First time here and it looks like a really good course with challenging greens,” said Bjorn, who won the 2010 at the Estoril Open de Portugal on the DP World Tour.

“I really like what I’ve seen so far, it’s a stunning piece of land and the course has a lovely feel to it. I’ve played a lot in Portugal over the years and had some success a while ago. I played Troia as an amateur back in the day so I’ve been coming to Portugal for many years and I always enjoy it. The weather is always good, and there are a lot of really good golf courses. It’s probably underrated by a lot of people as a destination – it’s not just about the Algarve, there are a lot of great courses all over in the country, including this one.”

The Dane has only played a handul of event in 2026 and is hoping for Pinheirinho will herald the beginning of a return to fitness and form. “I had surgery recently so it’s a long way back to something that to something that feels comfortable, but we’ll go and enjoy the week and enjoy playing golf again. I’m just happy to be out of the house and swinging a golf club really.

“I have no expectations, no thoughts, really, except that I’m glad to out here playing golf again. It’s always good to be out on the Legends Tour – great to see a lot of familiar faces and the standard is very high so it should be a good week for everyone here.”

Race to Cambodia Order of Merit leader – and Junior Ryder Cup captain – Stephen Gallacher is one of a number of players eyeing victory this week as he looks to extend his lead at the top of the season-long rankings and claim a maiden win after a number of close calls in recent events. With two Ryder Cup captains, two Major winners, 12 Ryder Cup players and 46 DP World Tour/European Tour winners in the field there will be plenty of high quality players for spectators to follow around the dramatic fairways of Pinheirinho.

CLICK HERE to register for free tickets.

Our Partners