England's Dougherty is one of several Tour winners in Portugal

The European Tour again breaks new ground when the Estoril Open de Portugal, which made its debut in 1953, pays its first visit to Quinta da Marinha on the Lisbon coast.

It will be one of the shorter tests for the Tour pros at par 71 and 6,893 yards but nevertheless should pose a fascinating challenge.

The course is situated next door to a bay which has hosted various sailing world championships and the wind can often be a factor on the golf course too.

It is described by tournament director Mikael Eriksson as a mixture of links and parkland golf with plenty of sand dunes laying in wait for errant drives, as well as a lot of woodland.

There are no water hazards on the course and the fairways tend to be reasonably tight and undulating, as do the greens.

The putting surfaces are in universally good shape, though, and Eriksson reported that the entire course was in fine condition when he made his last visit three weeks ago.

It is also the site for several wildlife protection areas, and seven holes include sensitive environmental patches which are to be treated as lateral hazards for players, who are banned from setting foot in them.

EASIEST HOLE: The par-four 348-yard 11th is a dog-leg right which can be reached from the elevated tee if the wind is blowing in a favourable direction.

A giant sand dune will gobble up anything under-hit but many of the field should be able to cut the corner safely.

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There is no particular trouble to worry the big hitters should they overshoot a generously sized but extremely undulating green.

HARDEST HOLE: The par-three 167-yard 14th is the most challenging of the five short holes on the course.

Accuracy is everything, especially if the wind blows up, with players hitting on to a small green.

Anything which fails to find the putting surface is in big trouble with deep ravines lying in front and to the right of the green, threatening a sandy grave for many a competitor.

The event has attracted a solid field of proven European Tour winners including several from this season, including Nick Dougherty (Singapore Masters), Stephen Dodd (China Open) and Niclas Fasth (New Zealand Open).

Jimenez triumphs in Portugal

Holder Miguel Angel Jimenez, though, will be putting the finishing touches to his US Masters preparation and will be absent.