The Portuguese football legend, also a passionate golfer, featured in Wednesday’s opening Pro-Am round ahead of the start of PGA TOUR Champions competition in Portugal
DP World Tour player Ricardo Gouveia, who grew up in the Algarve, also joined the field for a special day at The Els Club Vilamoura
To download the images and the interview with Luis Figo, please click here.
Vilamoura, Algarve, 29 July 2026 – The Portugal Invitational enjoyed one of its standout moments on Wednesday ahead of the start of competition, as the opening round of the two-day Pro-Am at The Els Club Vilamoura welcomed one of Portugal’s most recognisable sporting figures, Luís Figo.
An avid golfer for many years, the Portuguese football legend led the high-profile names starring in the inaugural Portugal Invitational Pro-Am, adding to the plethora of golf’s biggest stars set to compete in Vilamoura this week.
“I think it is both a great privilege and an honour for us to host the Portugal Invitational,” Figo said shortly before teeing off. “We are a country that loves golf and we are in an area with so many golf courses. Now we also have this new course by Ernie Els, so I think there is a great combination of conditions for this to be a successful event.”
Figo had already played The Els Club Vilamoura during its earlier stages and highlighted the development of the course over the past year.
“I had the chance to play here when the course was still very new and everything was growing. Ernie has done a fantastic job. Now it is beautiful and, as an amateur, having the opportunity to play in these conditions is unique,” he said.
For Figo, the Pro-Am was also about enjoying the opportunity to spend time alongside the professionals in a relaxed setting.
“The most important thing is to enjoy it. A Pro-Am is always different. There is no pressure for us and, for those of us who love golf, it is a privilege to be so close to the professionals and share the course with them,” he added.
Ricardo Gouveia adds to Portuguese presence
Portuguese golf was also strongly represented during Wednesday’s Pro-Am by Ricardo Gouveia, the DP World Tour Professional whose journey in the game began in Vilamoura and who remains one of the Algarve’s most successful sporting ambassadors.
Gouveia, who started playing golf at Clube de Golfe de Vilamoura at the age of 10 before progressing to the University of Central Florida and a successful professional career, joined players, guests and partners on course as the Portugal Invitational continued to build momentum ahead of Friday’s opening round.
Now competing on the DP World Tour and representing Portugal on the international stage, Gouveia believes events such as the Portugal Invitational highlight both the quality of golf in the Algarve and the continued evolution of Vilamoura as a sporting destination.
“I’m very proud to see how Vilamoura has evolved,” he said. “It’s a destination with enormous potential and a unique charm. Seeing the infrastructure being renewed, the brands gaining new life, and international events returning here fills me with great joy.”
The Pro-Am continues on Thursday with its second and final day before the Portugal Invitational officially gets under way on Friday, 31 July, with the tournament running through to Sunday, 2 August.
Tournament week gathers momentum
Pro-Am festivities kicked off in style at the Victoria Spa & Resort Hotel in Vilamoura on Tuesday evening, providing the chance for players and their families, as well as guests of the tournament to enjoy a fine night of Portuguese hospitality and cultural experiences.
The event was attended by Ernie Els, host and competitor for the week at the course that bears his name, alongside more than 50 PGA TOUR Champions players.
With players and guests now on course and the first Pro-Am round completed, anticipation at the Algarve’s first private members club continues to grow ahead of Friday’s curtain raiser for the Portugal Invitational.
The inaugural Portugal Invitational has brought together a strong network of partners and broadcasters, helping to give the tournament a significant platform from its very first edition. Arrow Global, Vilamoura, Visit Portugal and Visit Algarve are joined by Mercedes-Benz, Kress, Reflo, Dils, Deloitte, Lusíadas Saúde, Loulé, Heritage Wines, Heineken, Nespresso, Pacheca, Vista Alegre and InfraMoura.
Media partners include SIC Notícias, Expresso, Sport TV and JCDecaux. Their support provides a strong platform for the tournament’s debut and helps build momentum for the continued growth of the Portugal Invitational in the years ahead.
All three rounds will be televised in the United States on GOLF Channel. International PGA TOUR Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories through the Tour’s network of media partners.
The first round begins this Friday, 31 July, with the inaugural Portugal Invitational champion set to be crowned on Sunday, 2 August.
For more information about the Portugal Invitational, including tickets and the latest tournament updates, visit https://www.portugalinvitational.com/
