There is a gleaming trophy in the Oceanico Victoria clubhouse named in honour of Ricardo Santos.

This trophy lies on the top shelf of the trophy cabinet and it is for an annual charity event Ricardo hosts each August.

However it is the trophy lying on the second shelf that Ricardo would love to be handed later this week and that is the trophy for the winner of the Portugal Masters.

Ricardo is one of the crowd favourites this week given he has long been attached to the Oceanico Victoria Course while his wife, Rita is the Marketing Manager of Oceanico Golf.

Ricardo Santos and his wife, Rita. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Of course, Ricardo is no stranger to this week’s host Oceanico Victoria course and when not on Tour will spend countless hours on the superb practice range working on his game.

In fact, in February last year I introduced a large group of my fellow Crail Golfing Society members to Ricardo who then kindly afforded his time in showing us the skills that earned him victory in the 2012 Madeira Islands Open.

However Ricardo is under much pressure this week to not only capture a second European Tour title but to try to earn his 2016 Tour card.

He is currently lying 180th on the Race to Dubai money list and knows only too well it will require a top-two finish if he’s to get back onto the main tour next season.

The Ricardo Santos Trophy sitting proudly in the trophy cabinet at Oceanico Victoria.

But then again Ricardo is mature enough not to burden himself with that goal ahead of teeing up in the Euro 2m event.

“All I need to do is focus on having a good attitude and giving my best to every single shot,” he said.

“If I can control these aspects, and I am confident I can, then I feel I will have a good week.  I know I need a big week but they are things I cannot control.

“So it’s all about playing one shot at a time and not getting ahead of myself.

“The great thing is that the course is set-up in the best condition ever with the rough up this year and that is something that could suit my game.

The Portugal Masters trophy that Ricardo Santos would dearly love to add his name.

“With the way the course has been set-up this year it is more fair than in past years.”

Ricardo will be contesting his 20th Race to Dubai event this season and with his best finish being T13th in Maderia where he enjoyed success in 2012.

“It has not been a consistent season for me as I have played quite well but just not scored well,” he said.

“I’ve had some good weeks but also some so-so weeks.”

But now with family and his many friends and supporters on hand this week what would really please Ricardo is to see his name added to gleaming trophy sitting proudly below the one with his name proudly showing.

Ricardo Santos in a great mood during his pre-Portugal Masters press conference. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“It is going to be great to be again playing on a golf course I know so well and that I am proud to represent on the European Tour,” he said.

“So with their support and if my attitude is good then I should have a very good week.”

And Ricardo finds himself contesting the first two rounds in the company of 22-year old Irish-born rookie Paul Dunne who is contesting only his third event as a pro.

Making up the trio is 45-year old Dane Anders Hansen who this week is bowing out of European Tour competition after 20-years competing on the Tour, and in a career that earned three victories including capturing the Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship in 2002.

The trio will tee off on day one at 8.50am.