Italian golf is tiny, but its tournaments and some of its players are big. The protagonists this week are a great tournament and a great player, let's talk about the 75th Italian Open and Francesco Molinari, ruler of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last Sunday.
For some years now, the Italian open has been one of the richest events on the European tour, part of the mini-circuit of the Rolex Series. Up for grabs at the Gardagolf Country Club are $7 million, plus $XNUMX million for the winner. Too bad that in the United States, at the same time, a super challenge is staged that also boasts Tiger Woods among its protagonists. This is the Memorial Tournament, from today to Sunday at Muirfield Village Golf Club, in Ohio, on the Jack Nicklaus course.
Let's stay for now in Lombardy, where the Italian Open is hosted for the fourth time in a row, after three editions at the Milan Golf Club. Instead, the Garda track was played in 1997 and 2003.
The field is excellent, starting with Molinari, who already won the most important Italian race in 2006 and 2016. “I'm delighted to be here – says the Turinese – I hope to recover some of the energy spent in England. How do you get to these results? We need a talent base and then the work of the Federation's technical staff is fundamental, accompanying young people towards professionalism. I too have to thank the FIG for all the support I have received in my career”.
The national Chicco points to a historic trio, a feat that the Azzurri never managed. However, he has to contend with five major winners (Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Danny Willett, Trevor Immelman) and 20 competitors among the top 100 in the world rankings, among which Tommy Fleetwood, Alex Noren and title defender Tyrrell Hatton stand out . Obligatory mention for Ian Poulter, one of the most engaging players in events such as Ryder.
There are 14 Italians, among them Matteo Manassero, who knows the course inside out, because he grew up on the Garda greens. Manassero boasts 4 titles on the European tour, but is dry in the Italian Open. Expectations are focusing precisely on him and hopefully not too cumbersome psychologically. Also in the running are Nino Bertasio, Renato Paratore, Edoardo Molinari, Andrea Pavan and Lorenzo Gagli. After four spins on Sunday, the winner will collect $1,167 million.
On TV, the Italian Open is broadcast by Sky (30 hours live). Furthermore, for the first time, it will also be visible in the clear thanks to the daily summary of Rai Sport.
However, the competition from the American circuit is fierce, because the Memorial Tournament is being played at the home of the great old man, Jack Nicklaus. None of the most important players globally would want to miss an appointment like this. Indeed, in addition to Tiger, there are world number one Justin Thomas and number two Dustin Johnson. Worth mentioning European champions of the caliber of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson. Among Americans it is always a pleasure to follow Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, and Matt Kuchar. Up for grabs are $8,9 million, $1,6 million for first place and 500 points in the FedexCup.
