There are 5 weeks left before the Masters and Francesco Molinari will try to make the most of them to accumulate points in view of the first major of the year. In the space of a month, the blue will play four tournaments and his marathon towards Augusta begins today, in Florida, where the Valspar Championship is held, on the course of the Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead) in Palm Harbor. Up for grabs is $5,9 million, $1,082 million for the winner.
The Australian John Senden defends the title, but his task promises to be difficult, given the level of the contenders in the field, starting with his compatriot Adam Scott, fourth last week at his season debut in Miami, in the WGC Cadillac won by Dustin Johnson.
Among the big names in the race we remember Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Jim Furyk, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Ernie Els. The Irishman Padraig Harrington is also back at work, after his success at the Honda Classic who, with his example, hopes to instill some confidence in Tiger Woods as well. Harrington, 43 years old, hadn't won since 2008 and from third position in the Ranking he had dropped beyond number 300: “And if Paddy made it…”.
Woods is silent for now and does not reveal when and if he will return to the field, however he is likely to let something know by Friday afternoon, the deadline for "registering" for the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week. Tiger now seems very taken by his private life, by the fields he designs and by the restaurant he will open by the end of the month in Jupiter.
However, it is said that he is also training and it is to be hoped that he will want to try his hand at competitive golf before the Masters, admitted and not granted that he decides to participate in the most chic and exclusive major, the one that has won the most and best.
On the European front, Matteo Manassero's return to the game should be recorded. The occasion is the Sunshine Tour on the Pretoria CC route in Waterkloof, South Africa, from today to Sunday.
"The batteries are recharged - says the twenty-one year old - it's time to get back to being competitive". His coach Alberto Binaghi is also optimistic "Matteo had a more personal than technical crisis" and in South Africa he doesn't expect great things, but "a more positive attitude". The field also includes Renato Paratore, Edoardo Molinari and Marco Crespi.
