For the third year running the Portuguese Open and the European Tour were back at Oitavos Dunes.

This time around the window was left open for the Atlantic breeze to create a monstrous challenge for the 156 top European players. The wind was indeed an important factor across the natural links course. The players hit 3 irons into the 157 metre par 3, 14th on Friday compared to 8 irons the previous year.

Compare Michael Hoey’s winning score of -7 to last year’s winner -18.

2009 Portuguese Open
Pos.	Name	Country	To Par	R1	R2	R3	R4	Total	Prize Money
1	Hoey, Michael	NIR	-7	66	76	69	66	277	€208,330.00
2	Fdez-Castano, Gonzalo	ESP	-7	70	72	68	67	277	€138,880.00
3	Molinar, Francesco	ITA	-6	71	71	68	68	278	€78,250.00
4	Broadhurst, Paul	ENG	-5	71	68	67	73	279	€53,083.33
4	Donaldson, Jamie	WAL	-5	71	69	67	72	279	€53,083.33
4	Lundberg, Mikael	SWE	-5	70	72	67	70	279	€53,083.00
7	Bourdy, Gregory	FRA	-4	69	73	69	69	280	€28,950.00
7	Forsyth, Alastair	SCO	-4	67	73	69	71	280	€28,950.00
7	Lawrie, Paul	SCO	-4	71	69	68	72	280	€28,950.00
7	Lynn, David	ENG	-4	69	73	65	73	280	€28,950.00
7	Webster, Steve	ENG	-4	68	72	71	69	280	€28,950.00

Such as in previous years there was drama until the very end. The leaderboard saw considerable changes every day. On Sunday two players carded sensational final rounds, Northern Ireland´s Michael Hoey and Spanish Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño finish tied top of the field at 7 under par. Two playoff holes down the gruelling 18th hole did not break the deadlock and just like in 2008 it was necessary to play the 17th to find a winner. With both players missing the green Castaño failed to make par from a more favourable position while Hoey, with his backswing impeded by a tree and little green to work with, produced a memorable up and down to secure victory in fine fashion.

Learn more at the PGA Europro Tour website.