The DP World Tour returns to this year’s Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone Golf & Country Club this week for the 80th anniversary of the DS Automobiles Italian Open. Here are your five things to know.
In-form MacIntyre defends
Robert MacIntyre claimed his second DP World Tour title in dramatic fashion last September as he defeated U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick in a play-off. The Scot began the final day three shots adrift of third-round leader Fitzpatrick but made ten birdies and three bogeys in a spectacular 64 on Sunday, before birdieing the first extra hole on a thrilling afternoon at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Following his impressive victory, the 26-year-old said his main goal for 2023 was to make Team Europe’s Ryder Cup team and he arrives in Rome buoyed by a good recent run. Either side of a five-week break after playing in seven of the opening nine events of the year, he registered back-to-back top tens in Kenya and Japan before finishing seventh last week in South Korea. With the opportunity to continue to climb both the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex and Ryder Cup standings, he will be full of confidence on a happy hunting ground.
One of Europe’s oldest events
Italy’s national Open was founded in 1925 and this year celebrates a milestone 80th anniversary. The tournament was part of the DP World Tour’s first International Schedule in 1972 and has been present ever since. This is the third consecutive edition to be held at Marco Simone and is being held earlier in the season this year due to the upcoming Ryder Cup. The event also formed part of the Rolex Series for three years from 2017. The trophy has previously been lifted by some of golf's greatest names including Peter Thomson, Tony Jacklin, Billy Casper, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance. Who will add their name to the latest chapter of one of the Tour’s most historic events?
Ryder Cup focus
Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald is joined by his Vice Captains Thomas Bjørn, Nicolas Colsaerts and Italy’s very own Edoardo Molinari in the field this week at Marco Simone - part of the European Tour Destinations network. The quartet will all be hoping to impress on the course themselves but with just five months to go until the biennial spectacular, there is inevitably a lot of focus on those looking to make the team.
Rolex Series winner Victor Perez and Adrian Meronk have both already won DP World Tour titles this season, while 2021 Italian Open winner Nicolai Højgaard, his twin brother Rasmus and Yannik Paul – who currently occupies an automatic qualifying spot – are among a host of others looking to showcase their talent. 2018 Italian Open winner Thorbjørn Olesen and Rafa Cabrera Bello both have Ryder Cup experience and will be hoping to add to their records in September, with a good performance this week sure to prove to their benefit.
Next stop, @marcosimonegolf 🇮🇹@LukeDonald | @DodoMolinari pic.twitter.com/xjRAMHZC81
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) April 25, 2023
Tour returns to Europe as U.S Open Qualifying Series begins
After back-to-back weeks in the Far East, the Tour visits its fifth continent as we head to Europe for the first time this season. Outside of the Major Championships, the Tour will now remain in mainland Europe up until members have the opportunity to compete in the United States of America at the Barbasol Championship and Barracuda Championship, which run in parallel with the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship respectively in July. Away from the chance to win vital Race to Dubai Ranking points, boost their Ryder Cup hopes and Official World Golf Ranking, the DS Automobiles Italian Open is also the start of the U.S. Open Qualifying Series. The top two aggregate points earners from the Italian Open, Soudal Open, KLM Open and Porsche European Open between May 4 and June 4 will compete at The Los Angeles Country Club from June 15-18.
Golf Futures programme in full swing
In partnership with the Italian Golf Federation, this week sees the continuation of the European Tour group’s Golf Futures initiative. After taking part in a workshop last month to learn about career opportunities in the sport, around 45 students across local universities and schools in Rome will now visit Marco Simone on Thursday and Friday for a behind-the-scenes tour. The students will also have the opportunity to apply for jobs at this year’s highly anticipated Ryder Cup. Golf Futures aims to educate and inspire future generations, from various backgrounds, on the opportunities that come from following golf and the wide range of careers available in live sport and entertainment.
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