Quiros Aiming for Repeat Win
Alvaro Quiros wil be looking to secure his second win at the Portugal Masters when the tournament gets underway on October 13.
The 28-year-old Spaniard won at the beautiful Algarve venue back in 2008 when he beat Scotland's Paul Lawrie by three shots in his second season following his graduation from the Challenge Tour.
It was an emotional victory, with Quiros dedicating the win to fellow countryman Seve Ballesteros, who was in hospital undergoing brain surgery at the time.
Since that win, Quiros has finished tied 16th (2009) and 57th (2010) in the event and he'll be looking to become the first repeat winner when he returns to the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in October.
"I have great memories of my victory in the Portugal Masters three years ago and I'm looking forward to going back to the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course this year," said Quiros.
"It is a beautiful venue, the weather is usually good, the people are very friendly and the Algarve is a great destination.
"I've had a very good season so far and it would be great to win my second title of 2011 there, following my victory in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. That's certainly what I'll be aiming to do. No player has won the tournament twice so it would be an honour to be the first one to do that."
The big-hitting Spaniard is but one of a strong Spanish contingent set to participate, including the likes of Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Pablo Larrazabal and Pablo Martin, who came very close to winning the title last year after he led by four shots heading into the final round only to make three bogeys and a double in his final seven holes to hand the trophy to eventual winner Richard Green.
Aside form the Spaniards, other big names already confirming their participation include World Number One Martin Kaymer, Englishman Ross Fisher and the Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari.
Frederico Costa, Vice President of Turismo de Portugal, the Host Sponsor of the Portugal Masters, added: "We are delighted to welcome so many players from our close neighbours Spain to the event. Alvaro was a great champion in 2008, and we look forward to welcoming him back again.
"The strength of the field for the 2011 edition gives us great pride and it promises to be a fantastic week for all the players, spectators and everyone involved with the event."