This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
OPEN DE PORTUGAL
Location: Portimao, Portugal
Course: Morgado Golf & CC
Yardage: 7,419
Par: 73
Tournament Preview
An exciting week as the European Tour returns to Portugal for the first time since 2010. This week's tournament will be contested at Morgado Golf Resort. It is the first time Morgado has played host to an European Tour event. It is a links-style course with wide fairways and deep sand bunkers, save the ocean breeze. The par 73 should favor long hitters with abundant eagle and birdie opportunities. Course history is non-existent, so recent form, along with driving distance and sand saves will be the focus this week.
Key Stats to Winning at Morgado Golf & CC
• Driving Distance
• Sand Saves
• Greens In Regulation
Past Champions
2010 - Thomas Bjorn
2009 - Michael Hoey
2008 - Gregory Bourdy
DRAFTKINGS PICKS
Aaron Rai $9,900 (28/1)
Rai has had a season to remember, with a T34 at Trophee Hassan II, T7 at Joburg and a win at Barclays Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour. This young Englishman on the rise is one to keep your eye on. He isn't the longest hitter, averaging 274 yards, but is outstanding in other areas. He ranks third in driving accuracy, ninth in sand saves and 42nd in GIR. Look for him to make a push on Sunday.
Pep Angles $8,900 (28/1)
The Spaniard has been hot and cold this year. He played well to start the year then cooled off for a couple weeks before starting to heat up again last week. He is a bomber, driving the ball almost 320 yards on average. Pep is hitting more than 68 percent GIR. Expect Pep to continue moving in the right direction this week.
Jaco Ahlers $8,100 (40/1)
The South African is looking to bounce back to the good form he had this year before missing the cut his last time out in Morocco. Jaco is 18th in driving distance, driving the ball more than 309 yards on average. He is also solid on approach, at almost 71 percent GIR.
Ben Eccles $6,200 (125/1)
Eccles is a long shot here, but has many reasons to feel confident. The young Australian is 77th in driving distance and 38th in driving accuracy. Eccles will have little trouble should he find a bunker, as he ranks 30th in sand saves. His recent form on the European Tour has been encouraging with a T9 at Tshwane and T39 at Super 6 Perth. He is another young gun to note.
Garrick Porteous $6,100 (275/1)
Porteous's odds show the risk in this pick. He has missed cuts in his last three starts and came in T86 at Joburg. He has been a streaky player with multiple missed cuts and then posting a top-10. Porteous has the stats to be successful this week, and I believe he is worth a look. He is driving the ball more than 304 yards on average, ranks 17th in sand saves and his putting is top notch — first in one putts, third in putts per round and second in putts per green.
