Levy Delight at reduced 36 hole Portugal Masters

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

Rain prevented a European Tour event in Portugal running its course

Not for the first time, rain prevented a European Tour event in Portugal running its course. The Portugal Masters was dogged by bad weather from the start and the tournament organisers were only able to complete two rounds in four days.

Not that Alexander Levy, of France, will be complaining. Levy had torn the course apart with rounds of 63 and 61 and was a staggering 18 under par, three better than Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts, who shot a 60 in the first round, and five ahead of Felipe Aguilar. When the tournament was abandoned after thunder, lightining and heavy rainmoved in while Levy and Colsaerts were playing their opening hole, Levy was declared the winner.

It is his second victory of the year. He also won the Volvo China Open - his 19 under par total for 72 holes was only one better than he managed for 36 in Portugal.

But neither Levy, 24, nor anybody else connected with the event - especially the sponsors - can be satisfied with the conclusion. Taking a tournament to Portugal in the middle of October is not a great idea as it is an area that is prone to seeing substantial rainfall at this time of year. It is to be hoped that, before next year's schedule is finalised, common sense prevails and the Portugal Masters is brought forward in the season.

“It feels very special,” said Levy. “If at the start of the year you had said I would win two tournaments I would say ‘never!’ to you.  It’s a very nice feeling and I’m very happy. I work hard on this game and I think I played a good game this week.

“I played only four shots at the weekend and I won the tournament, but the most important thing is I have the trophy in my hand.”

The Volvo World Matchplay is being staged at the London Club this coming week and, with huge prize-money at stake, you can be sure that everybody connected with the event will be looking skywards and praying for decent weather.

The organisers have assembled a decent field and entry fees are extremely cheap, which means there should be big crowds to watch the action unfold. But it doesn't matter how good your field is - if the weather doesn't play ball, you are dead in the water.

Image Credit - @GolfblogspotUK Twitter

Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]