The VI Solverde Players Championship was contested at Oporto Golf Club in Espinho
– May 27, 2025 | Photos Ricardo Stringfellow
Daniel da Costa Rodrigues secured his first title on the newly launched Portuguese Professional Golf Circuit with a confident win at the VI Solverde Players Championship, held at Oporto Golf Club in Espinho on May 15.
This marks Rodrigues’ second professional title, following his win at the NAU Morgado Open earlier this year on the PT Tour.
The 22-year-old, who previously represented Club de Golf de Miramar in Vila Nova de Gaia, as an amateur, carded rounds of 65 and 68 for a nine-under-par total of 133, securing the €3,000 winner’s cheque.
This is a particularly special title, as it is a ‘Major’ on the Portuguese PGA circuit, with a total prize fund of €15,000, and only the National Professional Championship is set to offer a higher purse in 2025.
Rodrigues began the final round with a two-shot lead over Tomás Melo Gouveia and extended his advantage to four strokes by the close, finishing ahead of Vasco Alves, who surged into second place. Alves, a member of the host club, briefly shared the lead during the final round but ultimately settled for second with a five-under-par total of 137 (69+68), earning €1,950.
Vasco Alves briefly tied for the lead with the eventual winner (both at five under) and came close to fulfilling his stated ambition, expressed in a SportTV interview, of winning at his home club. It was at that moment that Daniel da Costa Rodrigues responded by delivering a high-level back nine with four birdies and no bogeys.
Third place was secured by the Algarve-native Tomás Melo Gouveia, the winner of last month’s inaugural event on this new Professional Golf Circuit, the Montebelo Golf Classic. The Portuguese player, who competes on the HotelPlanner Tour (Europe’s second division), posted a total of 139 (-3) with rounds of 67 and 72, taking home €1,500.
Tomás Bessa and Miguel Cardoso also deserve special mention. Bessa, who has been recovering from a serious wrist and hand injury that sidelined him for a year, matched the tournament’s best round with a 65 (-6), climbing to fourth place (-2) and earning €1,200. Meanwhile, Miguel Cardoso was the top amateur, finishing fifth overall with a total score of 142 (70+72), level par for the course. This strong amateur presence reflects the Portuguese Golf Federation’s commitment to integrating the country’s best amateurs into the Professional Golf Circuit, with 10 amateurs among the 33 competitors at Espinho.
The amateurs group included standout performers from the Federation’s major amateur events: Miguel Cardoso (national amateur champion), Pedro Mendes (national amateur runner-up), and Afonso Oliveira (finalist in the FPG/BPI Cup).
Final Leaderboard – VI Solverde Players Championship (Oporto Golf Club):
1st – Daniel da Costa Rodrigues: 133 (65+68), -9 – €3,000
2nd – Vasco Alves: 137 (69+68), -5 – €1,950
3rd – Tomás Melo Gouveia: 139 (67+72), -3 – €1,500
4th – Tomás Bessa: 140 (75+65), -2 – €1,200
5th – Miguel Cardoso (amateur): 142 (70+72), Even Par
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