Ricardo Santos became the first Portuguese to win a European Tour title on home soil in 2012 and comes into the Portugal Masters this week in need of a similarly impressive showing.
The 33 year old enjoyed an impressive campaign three years ago, with his win in the Madeira Islands Open - Portugal helping him to claim the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award as he finished 90th on the Race to Dubai.
The following season saw him rise to 65th with five top tens but he has failed to hit those heights since and currently sits 180th in the standings, knowing he will need to finish at the very top end of the leaderboard to have a chance of keeping his playing privileges for next season.
Santos, who lives in Vilamoura and is attached to Oceånico Victoria Golf Course, is not allowing that to act as a distraction, however, and is confident he can compete if his game comes together.
"I'm just worrying about keeping calm and staying focused on my game and we'll see what's happened," he said.
It could be a good week. I know I have the game to have a good week here. I know the course quite well. So, who knows? - Ricardo Santos
That confident attitude could prove to be a blessing for Santos as he comes into a tournament in which he has a best finish of a tie for 16th place three years ago, and he insists he does not feel any extra pressure competing at home.
"I hope that's my focus for this week, my good attitude, and to give my best in all moments, and we'll see what happens at the end," he added.
"After many years, it's more comfortable for me to play here in Victoria in the Portugal Masters, all the Portuguese crowd and family and friends as well. So I think it's going to be a good week."
He added: "I think it's very important for Portugal and for the Portuguese people to have a strong tournament on the main Tour, and in growing that year after year.
"I think it's important, especially for Portugal, tourism in Portugal.
"So I hope next year, it is even bigger and we can have more public on the course."
One man who is not worrying about securing his card for next year is countryman Ricardo Gouveia, who has sealed his place on the 2016 Race to Dubai thanks to his impressive performances on The Challenge Tour.
The 24 year old, who is second in the Road to Oman Rankings, will be playing just his third European Tour event after last year's rain-affected Portugal Masters and the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI in August.
A tie for 25th on Madeira came in a stunning run of form as Gouveia claimed four top threes in five Challenge Tour events, and he feels he is ready to cut his teeth on the European Tour.
"I'm not going to change anything and I'm not going to expect too much of me," he said. "Just going to play, enjoy, and hopefully I can get some good scores out of this week.
"I'm really looking forward to starting the (2016) season off, and just to play at the highest level of golf in Europe, which was my goal for this year to secure that card for next year. It was awesome that I could do secure it in the middle of the season with some good results."
Gouveia finished in a tie for 58th here last season as the tournament was cut to 36 holes due to rain but he is expecting a tougher test around the Oceånico Victoria Golf Course this time around.
"The course is a lot harder this year, just because the rough is a bit higher, especially around the fairways and around the greens, as well," he said.
"But the course is playing soft, so it could help a little bit, the players to shoot some low numbers. But if you're not on the fairways, you're going to struggle to shoot a low one."
