Newly crowned ISPS HANDA Senior Open champion Jerry Kelly will head straight from Gleneagles to Vilamoura this week, with the American confirmed in the 78-player field for the inaugural Portugal Invitational at The Els Club Vilamoura from 31 July to 2 August.
Kelly secured one of the biggest victories of his career on Sunday at the King’s Course, birdieing the 72nd hole to finish on 10-under par and claim a two-shot victory. The win marked his 14th PGA TOUR Champions title and third senior major championship.
The 59-year-old will now make the journey to the Algarve for the next event on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule, where he will be joined by the three players who finished closest to him at Gleneagles, to battle it out for the $3 million prize purse.
Cameron Percy, Matt Gogel and Darren Fichardt shared second place on eight-under par and are all part of the Portugal Invitational field, meaning the four players at the top of the Senior Open leaderboard will compete again just days later for the first PGA TOUR Champions title in Europe outside of a major championship at The Els Club Vilamoura.
Todd Rhinehart, Tournament Director of the Portugal Invitational, said: “Congratulations to Jerry on a fantastic victory at Gleneagles. To welcome the newly crowned Senior Open champion to Vilamoura just a few days later is hugely exciting and another great reflection of the quality of the field we have assembled for our inaugural edition.
“The fact that Cameron, Matt and Darren will also be competing builds yet another layer of anticipation, with many players arriving in Portugal in outstanding form, and we are looking forward to seeing them compete again at The Els Club Vilamoura.”
Kelly joins a field featuring some of the most accomplished players of their generation, including Ernie Els, Pádraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Tom Lehman.
The event has also attracted a strong and diverse group of partners, underlining the interest generated ahead of its inaugural 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.
