This week the European Tour moves to Italy for an all new event, The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily.
BITE-SIZED HISTORY
The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily may be a new event on the European Tour International Schedule but Verdura Resort has played a part on the Race to Dubai in the past.
The European Tour Destination played host to the 2012 Sicilian Open, when Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen held off Englishman Chris Wood’s final round charge to claim his maiden European Tour victory.
The inaugural edition of the Sicilian Open was played one year previously, when Raphaël Jacquelin of France triumphed at Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, his third of four European Tour victories.
THE FIELD
European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn heads this week’s field. The 46 year old, who will lead Europe’s bid to regain The Ryder Cup in Paris next September, is the most successful Danish player ever, with 21 victories worldwide including 15 on the European Tour.
2011 Sicilian Open winner Jacquelin returns this week, while former Italian Open winners Rikard Karlberg (2015), Julien Quesne (2013) and Steve Webster (2005) are also in the field.
Green Jacket winners Trevor Immelman (2008) and Mike Weir (2003) will bring Major Championship-winning pedigree.
The tournament will also feature a strong Italian challenge, with Matteo Manassero, Edoardo Molinari, Nino Bertasio and Renato Paratore all participating.
THE COURSE
The Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily will be staged on one of the most spectacular and picturesque courses on the 2017 European Tour calendar, with a composite course combining the finest holes from the venue’s two 18-hole championship courses, the East Course and West Course.
Measuring 7,217 yards, the par-71 lay-out will comprise of nine holes each from the two Kyle Phillips-designed courses and will include one of the most dramatic finishes in world tournament golf, with the final six holes running adjacent to the coast and set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
DID YOU KNOW?
· 25 Italians will be competing on home soil this week. Of them, two – Matteo Manassero and Edoardo Molinari – are European Tour winners, sharing seven victories between them (four for Manassero, three for Molinari – the most recent being his Trophée Hassan II win last month)
· Three Italians have won European Tour events in their home country. They are: Baldovino Dassu (1976 Italian Open), Massimo Manelli (1980 Italian Open) and Francesco Molinari (2006 & 2016 Italian Open)
· European Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn is one of seven former Ryder Cup players in the field, with ten appearances between them. The others are Nicolas Colsaerts, Jamie Donaldson, Niclas Fasth, David Howell, Robert Karlsson and Molinari.
