The 1996 Open Champion joins a world-class line-up of 78 players featuring Ryder Cup legends, major champions and World Golf Hall of Fame members at The Els Club Vilamoura

Vilamoura, Algarve, July 21, 2026. The inaugural Portugal Invitational has added another golfing icon to its impressive field with the confirmation that Tom Lehman, winner of The Open Championship in 1996 and former World No. 1, will compete at The Els Club Vilamoura from July 31 to August 2.

Lehman’s participation further enhances what is already one of the strongest fields assembled on the PGA TOUR Champions this season, with 78 players representing 17 countries, including five World Golf Hall of Fame members, six Ryder Cup captains and 18 Ryder Cup players.

Tom Lehman adds major pedigree to the Portugal Invitational

A five-time PGA TOUR winner, 1996 Open Champion and captain of the United States team at the 2006 Ryder Cup, Lehman brings exceptional experience and championship credentials to Portugal.

His arrival strengthens an already outstanding line-up featuring some of the biggest names in senior golf, including Ernie Els, Pádraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson, Darren Clarke, Steven Alker, K.J. Choi, Justin Leonard and Y.E. Yang.

Together, they will headline the first edition of an event that promises to become one of the highlights of the PGA TOUR Champions calendar.

A field packed with Ryder Cup stars and major champions

The Portugal Invitational boasts an extraordinary collection of golfing achievements.

Collectively, the 78-player field has recorded:

• 224 PGA TOUR victories
• 247 PGA TOUR Champions titles
• 20 major championship victories
• 44 PGA TOUR Champions major titles

The tournament will also feature five members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, six Ryder Cup captains and 18 players who have competed in one of golf’s most prestigious team events.

A landmark debut for golf in Portugal

Tournament Director Todd Rhinehart believes the strength of the field reflects the ambition behind the inaugural edition.

“The strength and depth of this field is a fantastic reflection of what the Portugal Invitational represents in its very first year. Bringing together major champions, World Golf Hall of Fame members, Ryder Cup captains and players from across the world at The Els Club Vilamoura is incredibly exciting, and we are looking forward to welcoming them to Portugal next week.”

The tournament marks the arrival of the PGA TOUR Champions in Portugal for the first time and reinforces Vilamouraand the Algarve as emerging destinations for elite international golf.

Global broadcast and strong commercial backing

The Portugal Invitational has attracted an impressive group of partners for its inaugural edition, including Arrow Global, Vilamoura, Visit Portugal, Visit Algarve, Mercedes-Benz, Deloitte, Heineken, Nespresso, Kress, Reflo, Lusíadas Saúde, Vista Alegre and several other leading international brands.

The event will also enjoy extensive global television coverage, airing live in the United States on Golf Channel, the exclusive broadcaster of the PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, coverage of the 2026 season will reach more than 170 countries and territories through the tour’s worldwide network of broadcast partners.

With one of the strongest fields on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule and a spectacular venue at The Els Club Vilamoura, the inaugural Portugal Invitational is set to establish itself as one of Europe’s premier senior golf events.

Tickets available at https://www.portugalinvitational.com/