Alex Levy is hoping to maintain his 100 per cent record at Oceânico Victoria Golf Course this week as he defends his Portugal Masters title on what has become one of his happiest hunting grounds.
For not only did he secure his second European Tour title there 12 months ago, romping to victory on his Portugal Masters debut after averaging a birdie on every other hole over the first two rounds, Levy also helped his native France win the European Amateur Team Championship when it was held at the Vilamoura venue four years ago.
So two trips to Oceânico Victoria GC have yielded a pair of victories – no wonder Levy talks of Arnold Palmer’s creation in glowing terms.
He said: “I’m very happy to be here to defend my title, it’s a great golf course, a lovely hotel and the food is also great. I played some of the best golf of my life here last year. It was a very good week for me, and I’ve got some very good memories. It will be hard to make 18 birdies in the first 36 holes again this week, but I will try!
“You can look back at what helped you achieve that, but now I have to move forward. It’s nice to see pictures of me with the trophy on Twitter and Instagram, and to have scored like I did was amazing. But the important thing is understanding what helped you achieve those things, and how you can replicate that.”
If he is to emulate his stunning feats of 12 months ago, Levy feels that two holes in particular may hold the key to success – or indeed failure.
He said: “The seventh and the 18th are two tough holes, and I think both holes have been designed so well. If you’re playing them into the wind, it can be very difficult to make par. I really like the 18th especially, with water on the left running all the way up to the green. It’s such a good finishing hole, and a real test.
“The course can really vary here, depending on the conditions. When the sun is out here it’s perfect and you can score well, but the wind can really get up and make things very tricky. It’s like playing a different course, and I like that variety.”
No player has retained the trophy in eight editions of the Portugal Masters but, having mounted an impressive defence of his Volvo China Open title in April, when he finished two shots behind the winner Wu Ashun, Levy is hopeful of bucking that trend and creating history in the Algarve.
“I think I showed earlier in the year at the China Open that I feel very comfortable defending a title,” he said.
“I finished third in China and was in contention to win until the last four holes, so I don’t feel any extra pressure to play well when I’m the defending champion. I enjoy it, and it motivates me to do well. I hope I can do even better this week.”
