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Westwood said: “I have some happy memories of Dom Pedro Victoria after winning there in 2009 - #PortugalMasters2019

Former World Number One Lee Westwood and fellow past champion Andy Sullivan will tee it up alongside compatriot Eddie Pepperell at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course when the Portugal Masters returns to Vilamoura from October 24-27.

Westwood will be making his first appearance at the event ten years after winning what was his 30th professional title, while Sullivan secured his third European Tour title at Dom Pedro Victoria in 2015 when he finished nine strokes clear of the chasing pack.

In 2009, Westwood ended a two-year wait for a European Tour victory as he finished two strokes ahead of Francesco Molinari after carding his third six under par round of the tournament for a 23 under par total. The win sparked a rich vein of form which saw him win the Race to Dubai that same season and then become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1994 to become World Number One the following year.

“I have some happy memories of Dom Pedro Victoria after winning there in 2009,” said Westwood, who had 26 top-ten finishes between his 2007 British Masters title and his Portugal Masters victory. “There had been a few close calls between those two wins, so I was really pleased to get over the line in Portugal.

“A lot of players talk about how this tournament has gone from strength to strength over the last few years; I’m looking forward to coming back and seeing how the tournament has grown. It also gives me a great opportunity to tune-up ahead of my defence of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, so I’m excited for the week.”