Zach Johnson captured the inaugural Portugal Invitational, the first officially sanctioned PGA Tour Champions event held in Portugal, by posting a two-stroke victory over fellow American Stewart Cink and Irish competitor Padraig Harrington.
The $3 million event took place at The Els Club in Vilamoura on a course redesigned by four-time major champion Ernie Els, who hosted the tournament. Johnson fired a seven-under-par final round to reach a 19-under total of 197 for the 54-hole competition. He demonstrated exceptional wedge play throughout the round, beginning with three consecutive birdies before adding shots at the seventh and ninth holes to reach the turn in 31 strokes. His performance was characterized by clutch putting, including a crucial conversion from off the green at the 11th hole that extended his lead to 18 under. Johnson, the 2023 US Ryder Cup captain, closed with six consecutive pars before recording a final birdie.
Cink, the defending Champions Tour order of merit leader, finished in second place at 17 under after compiling four birdies against a bogey at the second hole. The 2009 Open champion made a two at the par-3 17th but could not narrow the gap sufficiently. Harrington, the 2026 US Senior Open champion, ended in third place at 15 under, hampered by inconsistent iron play and putting difficulties despite solid driving. Harrington recorded bogeys at the sixth, 13th, and 16th holes that prevented him from mounting a serious challenge to Johnson’s lead.
Additional notable finishes included Miguel Angel Jimenez, who fired a five-under 67 to reach 12 under, and Justin Leonard, whose closing 65 placed him at 10 under. Els and David Duval tied at eight under, while Darren Clarke finished at nine under. Jamie Donaldson, despite making an eagle and two birdies on the front nine, finished at seven under after a double-bogey at the 16th hole derailed his bid to contend.
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