The blue sky of Rome shines brighter this week, with the 76th Italian Open at the Olgiata Golf Club from today to Sunday. It is a top event on the European Tour and is part of the exclusive club of the Rolex Series, boasting eight races a very high prize pool: 7 million dollars each, 1,166 million of which will go to first place. This is an opportunity for sport not to be missed and which enriches a weekend full of emotions, alongside the match of the national football team with Greece on Saturday evening at the Olimpico.
The blue patrol in the field at Olgiata is less nourished, but equally of very high international profile. The striker with bats and balls is Francesco Molinari, number 11 in the world rankings, already winner of two Italian Opens (2006-2016), champion of the 2018 Open Championship and hero of the Ryder Cup in Paris. The other Italians at the starting tees are Guido Migliozzi, Andrea Pavan, Edoardo Molinari, Renato Paratore, Nino Bertasio and Lorenzo Gagli. For the "Romans" Paratore and Pavan it will be a special week to experience in front of the home crowd.
The spotlight will be on Francesco, the Tiger Woods National, as he chases his third win at this race. “Becoming the first Italian to win three Italian Opens is certainly one of my goals – he says – I hope to do it this week or before the end of my career. Physically and mentally I'm in good condition, I have positive sensations and I hope to start off on the right foot". Laser Frankie, as he has been renamed by the English for his precision with the irons, is ready to give battle and show, to arrive in his best shape also at the Ryder Cup which will be held in the capital, at the Marco Simone. The federation has announced the dates: 30 September-2 October 2022. The years that separate us from this world event will be intense for Rome, because the next three editions of the Italian Open will also take place on the Tiber.
It is truly an admirable effort that little Italian golf is making to establish itself in the cyclopean world panorama of this sport and Francesco Molinari looks like David defeating Goliath. His career started right at Olgiata, in the Open that was held there 17 years ago, where Chicco passed the cut and finished 25th. “On that occasion I thought: maybe I can really do this job”.
His is an immense talent, which blends with a great modesty and a will of steel. “The race towards Ryder 2022 will be an exciting race – adds Molinari – especially for Italian golf. There is still time to think about it though, now we need to look at the present. In 2020 I will change something, starting with the preparation before Christmas, which I was unable to do last year. I'll base my calendar on about ten important races and then I'll adjust for the others. In any case, I will not participate in events in the week following the majors where in 2018 I have not had favorable feedback".
In the meantime, 138 players will compete in Rome from today, including 25 of the top 11 in the world, 2018 major winners, six of the twelve protagonists of the XNUMX Ryder Cap.
There are great attendances, like that of Justin Rose, number 5 in the world and gold medalist at the Rio Olympics. The Englishman wants to take advantage of the Rome race to move up positions in the Race to Dubai, currently dominated by Jon Rham, who scored last week in Spain. For Rose, Rome is not only a top-level golfing destination, but also an iconic destination par excellence. For this reason the Englishman, contrary to his habits, decided to extend his stay after the end of the race. “Being here is special – says the champion – everything tastes better and I intend to fully enjoy it. I won't risk losing concentration on the days of the race, so I'll stay a few days longer, to have time to experience this incredible city".
The field includes Shane Lowry, winner of the Open Championship this year and leaving with Francesco Molinari this morning at 8,30.
To mention the past winners Ian Poulter, Gonzalo Fernandez Castaño, Tyrrell Hatton, Graeme McDowell and Robert Rock. Bernd Wiesberger, Eddie Pepperell, Martin Kaymer, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Chris Wood, Tom Lewis and Thomas Pieters also aim high. Without forgetting the Eastern representation which will see Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Ashun Wu, Haotong Li and Jeunghun Wang on the field. The Danish Thomas Bjorn, victorious captain of Team Europe in Paris 2018, Padraig Harrington, who will replace him for the 2020 Ryder edition and will try to repeat the success in Wisconsin, his deputy Robert Karlsson and Jose Maria Olazabal can still have a lot to say .
The television coverage is extraordinary: Rai Sport + HD will guarantee a daily summary of 60 minutes for the first three rounds, in addition to the free-to-air broadcast of the final round. The Sky Sport Uno satellite platform will offer its subscribers the entire top national golf review live from today to Sunday. The GOLFTV streaming service, created by Discovery, will cover the entire event on internet and mobile platforms, combining free viewing (for the first three days) and paid viewing (only for the last day of the competition).
The Olgiata track, inaugurated in 1961, was designed by the English architect C. Kenneth Cotton, but underwent a profound restyling in 2012 by the American architect Jim Fazio. The main 18 holes are joined by another 9, for a total of 27 holes and a large Club House inspired by American Country Clubs and perfectly harmonized with the splendid natural context that surrounds it.
