Tomás Ribeiro delivered a standout performance for Portugal, winning the Italy Open Pitch & Putt at the Florinas Golf course in Sardinia. The national team achieved an excellent overall result, with Hugo Espírito Santo and Arnaldo Paredes both finishing inside the top five.

The event brought together 71 players competing across three rounds of 18 holes on one of the toughest courses in the circuit. After posting scores of 53 (-1) and 56 (+2) on Saturday, Ribeiro began the final round tied for second with Spain’s Cesar Crespo, three strokes behind home favourite Giacomo Meloni.

In what he described as the most difficult course he has ever played, the 23-year-old Portuguese international from Paredes Golf Club held his nerve on Sunday with another 56, clinching victory by a single shot. His total of 165 (+3) edged out Crespo, who finished on 166 (+4).

“I’m very happy. It was the first time I won an individual event while representing the national team, and it feels even more special to share this moment with all the Portuguese players who were here,” Ribeiro said after the win. The victory also came on the eve of his 23rd birthday, adding a personal touch to a memorable weekend.

Ribeiro had already been runner-up in last year’s edition of the Italy Open, won by Italy’s Andrea Fusco. Earlier this season, he claimed the Portugal Open Pitch & Putt and helped Paredes Golf Club secure the national club championship just a week before this latest triumph.

In Sardinia, Hugo Espírito Santo from Quinta das Lágrimas finished third after a superb closing round of 52, the lowest score recorded in the entire tournament, for a total of 168 (+6). Giacomo Meloni slipped to fourth with 169 (+7), and Arnaldo Paredes, also from Quinta das Lágrimas, secured fifth place with 171 (+9).

This outstanding performance once again underlines Portugal’s growing strength in international Pitch & Putt golf, both individually and as a team.

The VIRIATVS Golf Cup took place at Montebelo Golf, under the direction of Bruno Esteves, and was played in a texas scramble format. The 2025 edition featured 40 teams of two players, bringing competitive energy and a festive atmosphere to the course. Weather conditions held steady throughout the day, with only light showers arriving at the very end of play.

In the Net division, the pair Nuno Marques and Gonçalo Andrade secured first place with 45 points. Elisabeth Noble and Gay Adamsom shared the runner-up position with Bruno Melo and Carlos Tinoco, both finishing on 44 points. Other strong scores included Alberto Amaral and José Gonçalves, Carlos Alves and Leonel Seixas, and Esmeraldo Bento and Álvaro Tavares, all with 43. Just behind on 42 points were Agostinho Lopes and Jacinto Pinto, Paulo Domingues and Manuela Domingues, and Jaime Fernandes and Paulo Neves.

The Gross competition was won by Bruno Melo and Carlos Tinoco with 34 points. They were followed by Nuno Marques and Gonçalo Andrade in second, and José Santos and Carlos Miranda in third.

Adding extra prestige to the event, professional golfer Daniel Rodrigues, currently Portugal’s top-ranked player and standout at the recent Open de Portugal, took part in the tournament alongside his brother. Rodrigues also addressed participants, offering words of encouragement for the sport.

The day concluded with a post-tournament reception, an excellent buffet, and a generous prize draw, rounding off the VIRIATVS Golf Cup in memorable fashion.