European Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke is hoping to find some consistency this week at the 72° OPEN D'ITALIA presented by DAMIANI - although he admits next year's clash against the United States is already at the forefront of his mind.
The Northern Irishman heads to Golf Club Milano without a top ten finish this season and no win since his sensational victory at the Open Championship in 2011.
But he has shown glimpses of his best in recent weeks, with rounds of 69 and 68 at the Made in Denmark catching the eye before he fell back into the pack, and Clarke is looking forward to one of the most prestigious events on The European Tour.
"There has been some good and some bad golf recently – a little more bad than good to be honest but it's great to be back in Italy and we're looking forward to it," he said.
"The golf course is in unbelievable condition considering they have had the hottest summer on record here in Milan and then there has been so much rain recently that it's very soft.
"But The European Tour have done a great job to get the course in good condition despite all that and hopefully the weather can improve and we can see this great club at its best.
"The Italian Open is just one of those weeks that makes The European Tour so great. It's a great event with so much history and tradition and players get the Royal treatment here. We always know we are going to have a great week in Italy – that's probably something to do with the food and wine!"
Clarke will lead Europe against the United States next year at Hazeltine with the points race for the European Team having started at the M2M Russian Open and anticipation building to the first tee shot being hit in anger on September 30 2016.
And while Clarke admits his captaincy commitments are taking up a lot of his time, he is refusing to use that as an excuse for his form this season.
"I do have a lot of things going on at the moment and The Ryder Cup is starting to bite into my time but I don't want to use that as an excuse as I am still trying to play and practice but there are a lot of other things going on including getting ready to go to America for The Ryder Cup Year to Go celebrations in the next two weeks," he said.
"All that stuff can add to the frustration out on the golf course when you are not playing well but that's what I have got to do.
"My priority is The Ryder Cup and nothing else."
