Vilamoura, Algarve, July 21, 2026.<\/strong> The inaugural Portugal Invitational<\/strong> has added another golfing icon to its impressive field with the confirmation that Tom Lehman<\/strong>, winner of The Open Championship<\/strong> in 1996 and former World No. 1, will compete at The Els Club Vilamoura<\/strong> from July 31 to August 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Lehman\u2019s participation further enhances what is already one of the strongest fields assembled on the PGA TOUR Champions<\/strong> this season, with 78 players<\/strong> representing 17 countries<\/strong>, including five World Golf Hall of Fame members, six Ryder Cup captains and 18 Ryder Cup players<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A five-time PGA TOUR<\/strong> winner, 1996 Open Champion and captain of the United States team at the 2006 Ryder Cup<\/strong>, Lehman brings exceptional experience and championship credentials to Portugal.<\/p>\n His arrival strengthens an already outstanding line-up featuring some of the biggest names in senior golf, including Ernie Els, P\u00e1draig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Miguel \u00c1ngel Jim\u00e9nez, Retief Goosen, Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson, Darren Clarke, Steven Alker, K.J. Choi, Justin Leonard<\/strong> and Y.E. Yang<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Together, they will headline the first edition of an event that promises to become one of the highlights of the PGA TOUR Champions calendar.<\/p>\n The Portugal Invitational boasts an extraordinary collection of golfing achievements.<\/p>\n Collectively, the 78-player field has recorded:<\/p>\n The tournament will also feature five members of the World Golf Hall of Fame<\/strong>, six Ryder Cup captains<\/strong> and 18 players<\/strong> who have competed in one of golf’s most prestigious team events.<\/p>\n Tournament Director Todd Rhinehart<\/strong> believes the strength of the field reflects the ambition behind the inaugural edition.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/em><\/p>\n The tournament marks the arrival of the PGA TOUR Champions<\/strong> in Portugal for the first time and reinforces Vilamoura<\/strong>and the Algarve<\/strong> as emerging destinations for elite international golf.<\/p>\n 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, Lus\u00edadas Sa\u00fade, Vista Alegre<\/strong> and several other leading international brands.<\/p>\n The event will also enjoy extensive global television coverage, airing live in the United States on Golf Channel<\/strong>, the exclusive broadcaster of the PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, coverage of the 2026 season will reach more than 170 countries and territories<\/strong> through the tour’s worldwide network of broadcast partners.<\/p>\n With one of the strongest fields on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule and a spectacular venue at The Els Club Vilamoura<\/strong>, the inaugural Portugal Invitational is set to establish itself as one of Europe’s premier senior golf events.<\/p>\nTom Lehman adds major pedigree to the Portugal Invitational<\/h2>\n
A field packed with Ryder Cup stars and major champions<\/h2>\n
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A landmark debut for golf in Portugal<\/h2>\n
Global broadcast and strong commercial backing<\/h2>\n