Italian Open Tyrrell Hatton is defending champion in the Italian Open this week on the European Tour. The Englishman faces competition from a strong field at Gardagolf CC. The Italian Open has been brought forward in the schedule for this season. It was only last October that Hatton took the title at Golf Club de Milano. As the second event in the European Tour’s 2017 Rolex Series, the Italian Open carries an enhanced prize fund of $7,000,000 and has attracted a world-class field.
Last week’s BMW PGA Championship winner Francesco Molinari will play host and he’ll be aiming for more success in an event he has won twice before, in 2006 and 2016. Other top players on the start sheet include Alex Noren, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ian Poulter and Tommy Fleetwood.
It’s the 75th running of this prestigious event. It was first contested in 1925 when Francesco Pasquali took the title. Since then many famous players have triumphed in the event, they include Sir Henry Cotton, Peter Thomson, Tony Jacklin, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman and Sandy Lyle.
Players to watch:
Lucas Bjerregaard – The Dane is on great form right now. His last three European Tour finishes have been 6th, 5th and tied 3rd. Look for him to continue his run in Italy.
Adrian Otaegui – He’ll look to bounce back from a disappointing Wentworth. The Spaniard doesn’t have to look too far back to find form. He won the Belgian Knockout and was second in the Volvo China Open.
Andy Sullivan – Showing signs of a return to form with a 3rd and a 7th in his last three starts. He’s on the verge of making a return to the winner’s circle and this could be the week he does it.
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