While not in the league of Augusta National’s annual event it does, however, share a link with the famed American tournament – Arnold Palmer.

Palmer was a four-time winner of the green jacket and also designed the course at Vilamoura which hosts this event. It’s a tenuous link, but a link all the same.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: It was European Tour title number five for Thomas Pieters in 2021 after what turned out to be a thrilling final day in Portugal.

The Belgian was the co-leader at the start of Sunday’s round which saw the lead change several times.

However, when the pressure was at its greatest Pieters produced a birdie at the 17th hole to grab a two shot cushion over Matthieu Pavon and Nicolai Hojgaard then converted a lengthy par putt at the final hole to secure the win by the same margin.

RIGHT: Last year's winner Thomas Pieters won't defend this week as he awaits the birth of his second child. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

Unfortunately, Pieters won’t be able to defend his title this week as his wife, Eva, is due to give birth to the couple’s second child.

COURSE: There is no shortage of golf in the Vilamoura region surrounding the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.

The area is home to six courses but only one, this week’s host, has been built with professional golf in mind.

Laid out by Arnold Palmer’s design firm and opened in 2004, the Dom Pedro Victoria course gets mixed reviews from the amateurs who play there.

Given the tournament was top of mind during the design process it is no surprise double digit handicap golfers find it a challenge though many of the aspects which make it punishing for amateurs do little to deter the professionals.

In fact, the course is not only known as a low scoring venue but is home to the DP World Tour’s only score of 59, shot by Oliver Fisher here in 2018.

While there is water is in play on seven holes on the back nine making life hard for the amateurs it doesn’t bother a field of this calibre.

In seven of the 15 tournaments played to date 20-under-par has been breached for the week.

The Arnold Palmer designed layout is now familiar to the players as the recurring host of the Portugal Masters. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

While the water laden back nine does little to deter these players for the most part it does often ensure an interesting finish to the event.

Hazards that aren’t even an afterthought Thursday to Saturday can begin to loom large late on Sunday and more than once this tournament has turned on a poor swing at the wrong time finding H2O.

PRIZEMONEY: US$2,000,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With low scoring being the feature of the week look for the Tour’s most aggressive players to be in the mix come Sunday.

Nicolai Hojgaard immediately springs to mind, the Dane coming off a decent week in Mallorca where a Saturday 64 had him threatening ahead of Sunday.

A 74 in the final round dropped him back to T16 but that is a less likely scenario this week with the nature of the course.

While he finds plenty of trouble around the course Hojgaard is a master of recovery and his runner-up finish here last year is testament to how well the course suits him.

Another who will be suited by the low scoring is Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregard, a winner in 2017 and runner-up alongside Hojgaard last year.

Like his fellow Dane, Bjerregard is an erratic player but when he is ‘on’ is capable of ultra-low scoring.

A player in a similar mould with the added incentive of having his future to play for is Scott Hend.

The 49-year-old has endured an awful year but finished T11 last week thanks to a best of the week 67 on Sunday.

He will need to conjure up something special to keep playing rights for next year, but this is a course that should suit his style of play and while he missed the cut here last year that will mean little come Thursday.

Two-time winner Tom Lewis is always worth keeping an eye on here despite a poor year by his standards.

He was T8 last year and while recent form doesn’t suggest much there is something to be said for the power of positive memories at this level of the game.

72-HOLE RECORD: 263 (Steve Webster, 2007)

18-HOLE RECORD: 59 (-13, Oliver Fisher, 2018)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this tournament.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Scott Hend, Jason Scrivener and Maverick Antcliff.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 11pm – 4am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 11pm – 4am) 
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 11.30pm – 4am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 11pm – 4am)
*AEDT, check local guides