Victory For Portuguese Star Sobrinho! - 12/07/2008

Portuguese star Antonio Sobrinho (Vale do Lobo) delighted the crowds by winning the final event of the Quinta da Ria/Casinos do Algarve Swing in style! Sobrinho played outstandingly to leave the rest of the field behind and take the title by an incredible eight shots.

Sobrinho had started the final day in second place, two shots off the lead. But a sensational final round including an eagle on the sixth, a staggering seven birdies and just one bogey led him to record a 63. This score was just one shot more than the new course record set by his playing partner, Tom Whitehouse (Maxstoke Park), in the first round. This left Antonio with an amazing seventeen under par total of 196 for the tournament.

Whitehouse, the overnight leader, was graceful in defeat, commenting, "To shoot 63 in this wind is just incredible. Antonio played brilliantly and fully deserved to win today". Whitehouse shot 73 in the final round which was enough to secure joint second place with Michael Welch (Hawkstone Park), whose final round 70 did not reflect just how well he played. Welch said, "It just wasn't my day today, nothing seemed to be going in". Both players finished with impressive nine under par totals of 204.

Fourth place went to Australian Daniel Gaunt (Superior Designs), who finished seven under after playing solidly all week to record scores of 69, 66 and 71. One shot behind Gaunt was Matthew King (Toft Hotel), who also shot a level par 71 in the final round to finish six under for the tournament.

Sobrinho's win is just one more part of a truly amazing story. Born in Angola, he came to Portugal as a refugee baby due to the war. He was looked after by staff at Quinta do Lago golf course, where he collected balls and quickly discovered a love for the game. He gained Portuguese nationality in the late 1980s - something of which he is very proud - and is now hoping to represent Portugal and make a bigger impact on the European golf scene.

Sobrinho said, "I played great golf today and really enjoyed it. The wind made it tough but I think that suits my game". He added, "The course has been very, very good all week and with the crowds here to support me it's been a great day!".

For full results, please visit the Palmares event under the Tournaments section.