Costantino Rocca, Italy’s most successful golfer on the European Tour, is excited to return to his homeland for the Italian Senior Open presented by Villaverde Hotel & Resort at Golf Club Udine.
The five-time European Tour champion has enjoyed much success on Italian shores over the years, winning six titles on home soil over five years between 1984 and 1989.
Teeing it up in Italy will bring back fond memories for Rocca as it was at last year’s Italian Open, on the outskirts of Milan, where the 59 year old called time on a 33-year career on the European Tour in front of his home crowd.
Now a regular on the European Senior Tour, the two-time Ryder Cup winner has recorded one top ten finish in five starts on the over-50s circuit this season.
Back at a course he knows well, the Bergamo man is hoping he can use his home advantage and follow in the footsteps of compatriot Francesco Molinari – who won the Italian Open for the second time earlier this month.
“The Italian Open was fantastic and it was great to have an Italian winner,” he said. “Francesco is a very nice guy and I’m happy for him.
“He has probably been inspired by me throughout his career, so it would be nice for me to take some inspiration from him and play well at the Italian Senior Open.
“My game is up and down at the moment. One week you play not so well, but the next you can play fantastic – but you have to go out there and make the best of it.
“It’s been a while since I played at Golf Club Udine, so I’ll have to get some practice beforehand.
“It’s good for all of golf in Italy to have first the Italian Open and then the Italian Senior Open. It’s important to help raise awareness both in the media and the public.”
