The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and the Portugal Masters have been rescheduled for September, forming the next part of the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai.
Originally scheduled to tee off on April 30, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters will take place at the iconic Real Club Valderrama from September 3-6 and will be immediately followed by the Portugal Masters. The event at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, from September 10-13, was initially scheduled for October prior to the suspension of the season due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.
The European Tour returns this week with two dual-ranking events in Austria – the Austrian Open and Euram Bank Open. The six event UK Swing is next before the action moves to Spain and Portugal, continuing the strategy of playing in regional clusters.
Both tournaments will be governed by the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy, which has been developed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrew Murray in consultation with health care specialists Cignpost and advisors in many of the 30 countries in which the European Tour plays.
They will also be underpinned by the European Tour’s new ‘Golf for Good’ initiative which aims to support communities where the European Tour plays, reward true heroes, such as frontline workers, and promote the many health benefits that golf offers.
Peter Adams, Championship Director of both the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and Portugal Masters, said: “We can’t wait to return to Valderrama and Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course for the rescheduled events.
“My sincere thanks go to Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters title sponsors Estrella Damm, as we enter the second year of our partnership, our hosts at Real Club Valderrama and the Regional Government of Andalucía for their commitment and support during what has been a challenging time for all parties.
“We are delighted that we will be able to showcase one of Europe’s elite golf courses to fans tuning in around the world to our live coverage.
“My thanks also go to Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection and Turismo de Portugal for their support in allowing us to reschedule the Portugal Masters for September.
“Following on from the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters ensures ease of travel for competitors wishing to remain on the Iberian Peninsula. The team at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course have been excellent hosts over the past 13 years and we are looking forward to working with them for the next edition of this tournament.
“My thanks also go to the Real Spanish Golf Federation, Portuguese Golf Federation and the local health authorities in both countries for their support. The safety of our members, staff and all those involved remains our priority and both events will be underpinned by the Tour’s comprehensive health strategy.
“Our Golf for Good initiative will also give us the opportunity to give something back to local causes around the venues and to those who have been impacted during this pandemic.”
The reshaped 2020 season also includes four Rolex Series events; the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and BMW PGA Championship in October, followed by the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player on December 3-6 and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, on December 10-13, where the 2020 Race to Dubai Champion will be crowned.
Details of subsequent tournaments on the European Tour following the Portugal Masters in September through to November will be announced in due course, with a variety of scheduling options currently under consideration as the global situation continues to evolve.
