Portugal’s top-ranked player and European Tour winner Ricardo Santos now has a new 16 person fan base after meeting with Crail Golfing Society members today at Vilamoura.

Ricardo represents Oceanico Golf while competing on the European Tour and was on the Oceanico Victoria practice range where he was introduced to the visiting party from the east coast of Scotland.

Rlcardo Santos has a new 16 person Scotland fan base after meeting members of the visiting Crail Golfing Society.

The now 32-year old Vilamoura-based player sparked emotional scenes two years ago when he became the first Portuguese-born player to win the Madeira Islands Open, and thanks to a stunning final round 63.

Last week Ricardo posted his lowest-ever round in shooting a 62 on day one of the Africa Open.

Portugal No. 1 Ricardo Santos offering his advice to Crail Golfing Society members.

And while some of Crail’s finest delighted in meeting Ricardo he revealed he’s no stranger to Scotland having competed as an amateur in the 2004 St. Andrews Trophy and then in 2012 he teed-up a first time in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

And while Ricardo singled out the Old Course at St. Andrews as his favourite course, Kingsbarns caddy Joe Duddy stepped forward putting his arm around Ricardo and offering to caddy for him during his round later this at Kingsbarns and one of three host venues in the Championship.

The two 2014 Crail Golfing Society Vilamoura Challenge captains – John Howorth (l) and Frank Donnelly meet with Ricardo Santos.

“Ricardo?  You let me caddy for you when you play Kingsbarns and I will make sure you shoot 60,” boasted Joe.

The Crail Golfing Society members spent some 30 minutes with Ricardo as he worked on his game ahead of his next event with is next week’s Tshwane Open at Centurion in South Africa.

Ricardo then joined the group for a photograph while there was photographs with the two captains this week – John Howorth and Frank Donnelly.

Bernie, who has covered all but one Portugal Masters, meets with Oceanico’s Ricardo Santos

Bernie, who organised the get together having got to known Ricardo and his wife, Rita well in the past two years, also got a snap with the extremely affable golfer.

And Ricardo’s promised to visit Crail later in the year while competing in the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

‘Gorgeous’ George Morris and distant relative to Old Tom Morris meets Ricardo Santos.