Scotland’s Craig Lee is now under even more pressure to fight off the vultures and hang onto his European Tour heading into this week’s Portugal Masters at Vilamoura.

The Stirling golfer tees-up this afternoon (THUR) lying in 110^th place (See * below) on the Race to Dubai money list and right on the cut-off mark for those wishing to retain 2017 Tour membership.

And the £2.68m Portugal event is the last ‘regular’ 2016 tournament for the likes of Lee and others seeking to retain full playing rights for next year.

The event is being staged on the Oceanico Victoria course and the first Arnold Palmer designed course to host an event since Palmer’s passing last month.

Crail Lee under the Falcon clubhouse in Abu Dhabi but it is the Portugal Masters vultures he should be worried about.

However, the Tour has seemingly done Lee little favour and only adding extra pressure by grouping him with those ranked 109th and 111^th on the money list.

American Daniel Im (109^th) is just £820 ahead of Lee while England’s Eddie Pepperell (111^th) is £916 adrift of Lee.  Also, there’s South African Zander Lombard (112^th) only £32 behind Pepperell and £1888 shy of Lee.

And there’s players like former champion, Alvaro Quiros (2008) back in 135^th place on the Race to Dubai who would need to finish in the top-five to knock Lee out of the top-110 if Lee should miss the cut.

However, Lee’s no stranger to the anxiety of heading to a last ‘regular’ Tour looking to wrap-up his card having travelled to Hong Kong a year ago.

Lee had finished the best of seven Scots posting an equal 2015 lowest final round of 65 and share sixth place.

He probably didn’t need to undertake the 11,000 mile round trip to Hong Kong, and last year’s final regular Tour event, but Lee went lying 104^th on the money list and eventually returned home 100^th and 10 spots inside the 110^th cut-off mark.

Now for a third year running it’s much the same scenario for the 39-year old Scot.

“I needed a big week here in Portugal last year and I managed that, so here’s hoping for much the same this week,” he said

“I haven’t done the maths this week but the first goal is making the cut and I’ll take it from there.

“The good thing is I like this course and it’s a course I can score on, and to finish with a 65 last year was a great effort and that’s what I will be looking to do straight away this week.”

And Lee’s not the only one under pressure as Scott Jamieson is lying 107^th and only £29,000, or a 15^th place finish this week, ahead of his compatriot.

Though all interest this week will be on Sweden’s Alex Noren who will be looking to become the first player since Rory McIlroy to capture four European Tour titles in a single season that McIlroy managed in 2014.

The Swede matched McIlroy’s 2015 accomplishment of three wins in a year and with Noren also seeking to win four events in just nine starts but also not get carried away with his success.

“It depends how you take the win and how you deal with a good week or how you handle a bad week,” said Noren.

“I’ve been trying not to put too much happiness and energy into my win last week because you have to play the next week so if you’re drained from the celebration that does not always help.

“But them my coach is here this week and we have been working on some stuff, and while I had a tremendous week last week with the putter and my chipping, we have been working on my driving.”

•  In writing the story Lee was initially ranked 110th on the Race to Dubai however the European Tour has removed a player from the list ??