Lisbon - Porto: The Provisional Roadshow

Mr P. Edwards arrives on home soil with the stat-sheet of a champion. Every Provisional collapse has come following a “one more for the road” night. He’s known amongst the the scribes as a walking Friday the 13th. Could local course knowledge, home cooking, family comforts and early nights finally turn his luck from best man into groom? The bookies favourite.

Mr A. Edwards makes a long awaited return after a baptism of fire in France. His memorable complaint about “too much golf” won’t fill the bookmakers with confidence. Older, busier, and on an even more intense schedule here — hold your bets.

Mr O. Mitchell drags a handicap dispute through the Court of Public Opinion before even teeing it up. Rumours of a 4 unit cut - scandalous. A worrying development for any future Provisional winners.

Mr R. Hollinshead returns as Portugal’s last Provisional winner. Could we be seeing the first triple champion in Provisional history?

Mr W. Newing, last year’s runner-up, lurks with intent but arrives without a single yard of Comporta form. He has the game for it and his numbers stack up, sitting in the top 5 for scoring averages.

Mr R. Stewart sent the gallop-watchers giddy on a recent spin around a seaside links; repeat that and he’ll be very hard to beat. Trouble is, his disappearing acts on the big stage still sit firmly in mind ( see #wedding #Bordeaux).

Mr A. Stafford has twice cupped the Provisional only to watch it wriggle free. With a tumbling handicap, rumours of a reduced practice schedule and a scoring average that comes up a little shy, he needs to find something.

Mr S. Silcocks requires a significant rules rewrite to feature, being absent on the all-important final day.

And Messrs Wells, Tear & Harrington? If they can resist the late-night siren song of the owl — a feat rarely achieved on this travelling circus — anything’s possible.

Five rounds, four count, the last always counts. Place your bets.