Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell defeated Thomas Levet in a four hole sudden-death play-off in the 2004 event. It was the first time extra holes have been required since Sam Torrance beat José Rivero in 1987. Since The European Tour began in 1972, the Telecom Italia Open has witnessed seven sudden-death finishes, which stands second in the most amount of play-offs, one behind the Nissan Irish Open, on eight.
In 2004 Italy’s Francesco Molinari shot 63 (-9) in round three as an amateur - which entered the record books as the lowest round by an amateur in the history of the Telecom Italia Open. Molinari turned professional later that year and is now a full Member of The European Tour.
Seve Ballesteros of Spain has many inclusions in the official record books of The European Tour. They include becoming the first player to score eight consecutive birdies in the same round in the 1985 Italian Open at Molinetto Golf Club, Milan. Ballesteros shot 64 (-8) in the third round on his way to finishing in a tie for fifth place. Here is the full list of players to achieve the feat:
8 -Seve Ballesteros, Italian Open,
Molinetto, 1985
8 -Ian Woosnam, Benson and Hedges International Open,
Fulford, 1985
8 -Tony Johnstone, Murphy’s Cup
Fulford, 1990
8 -John Bickerton, Portuguese Open
Penha Longa, 1995
8 -Mark O’Meara, Alfred Dunhill Cup
St Andrews, 1996
8 -Raymond Russell, One 2 One Britsh Masters
Forest of Arden, 1997
8 -Darren Clarke, Smurfit European Open
The K Club, 1999
8 -Marcello Santi, Turespaña Masters
Parador del Golf, Malaga, 1999
8 -Mårten Olander, Novotel Perrier Open de France
Le Golf National, 2002
8 -Craig Spence, Johhnie Walker Classic
Lake Karrinyup CC, 2003
** Colin Montgomerie did record nine consecutive birdies in the 2005 Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open, but because preferred lies were in operation, it will not count as an official record.
