The highlights from the inaugural Portugal Invitational at The Els Club Vilamoura, one month on from a historic first edition
— September 16, 2026
The inaugural Portugal Invitational brought PGA TOUR Champions golf to the country for the first time, with major champions, Ryder Cup players and World Golf Hall of Fame members competing at The Els Club Vilamoura.
The tournament marked an important milestone for professional golf in Portugal and placed the Algarve firmly in the international spotlight, with all three rounds broadcast live in the United States on GOLF Channel and in Portugal on Sport TV. PGA TOUR Champions coverage also reached more than 170 countries and territories through the Tour’s international media network.
Zach Johnson made history as the tournament’s first champion, but the event was also a major moment for Ernie Els, whose connection with the Algarve stretches back more than two decades.
“My history with this area goes back more than 25 years,” Els said. “When my family and I lived in the UK, this was our holiday destination. I knew the area well long before this project ever existed.”
That familiarity with the region played a part in choosing Vilamoura as the location for the first Els Club in Europe.
“I already knew what made this place special. Great golf, incredible weather, fantastic food and people who genuinely make you feel welcome. When people come here, they understand why so many of us have loved this place for so long.”
Working alongside Greg Letsche, senior design associate and partner at Ernie Els Design, Els transformed the former Arnold Palmer layout into a championship course designed to challenge leading players while remaining enjoyable for golfers of different abilities.
“From the very beginning, we wanted to build a championship golf course, but also one that everyone could enjoy. We wanted players to have options and experience different ways of playing the game.”
The wider project was also designed around the Algarve lifestyle, combining golf with a destination where players can travel with family and enjoy the region beyond the course.
“We wanted to recreate the kind of holidays my family enjoyed here for so many years; a destination where people who love golf could come with their families and experience everything this region has to offer,” Els said.
Hosting a PGA TOUR Champions event was part of that ambition from an early stage.
“As the project developed, we wanted to host a PGA TOUR Champions event. I felt this would be the perfect venue.”
That idea became reality with the Portugal Invitational, giving The Els Club Vilamoura its first major international tournament just months after opening.
“It was a very momentous week for us. So much work had gone into the golf course, the clubhouse and the whole infrastructure. Seeing it all come together was something we’re incredibly proud of,” Els said.
“I’ve been talking this up all the way since last year’s opening, how great this area is, and I think everybody’s had a good time, so I’m very thankful to have pulled this one off.”
The tournament also reflected the wider investment taking place across Vilamoura, as the destination continues to develop its golf, leisure and residential offering.
The inaugural event attracted a broad group of commercial and institutional partners, including Arrow Global, Vilamoura, Visit Portugal, Visit Algarve, Mercedes-Benz, Kress, Reflo, Dils, Deloitte, Lusíadas Saúde, Loulé, Heritage Wines, Heineken, Nespresso, Pacheca, Vista Alegre and InfraMoura.
Media partners included SIC Notícias, Expresso, Sport TV and JCDecaux.
With the first edition now complete, attention is already turning to the tournament’s return to Vilamoura in 2027.
“We’re on our way. This was the first big step, but there’s much more to come,” Els said.
For more information, visit portugalinvitational.com.