The BMW Italian Open returns to the magnificent Royal Park I Roveri, Turin, for a second successive year from May 6-9 with a field that includes some of the most exciting and prominent players in world golf.
The Italian pair of Matteo Manassero, who makes his professional debut, and Edoardo Molinari, who with his brother Farncesco steered Italy to its first World Cup triumph six months ago, are sure to be the focus of attention, as will Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie, as Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik defends the title.
While Manessaro takes his first steps as a professional and Molinari looks to strengthen his claim for a place on Europe’s Ryder Cup Team under the watchful eye of Captain Montgomerie, Italy’s most decorated golfer, Costantino Rocca can also expect a hero’s welcome in the €1.3 million event.
Rocca, now plying his trade on the European Senior Tour, paved the way for the current Italian success by winning five European Tour titles, playing in three Ryder Cups and coming agonisingly close to winning the greatest prize of all, The Open Championship, when he lost in a play-off to John Daly at St Andrews in 1995.
Last year Daniel Vancsik won the title by six strokes with brilliant closing 65, six under par - equalling the record low final round by a winner – for a 17 under par total of 267. It was his second European Tour title after previous success in the 2007 Madeira Islands Open BPI.
The field also features five winners from the 2010 European Tour season in Welshman Rhys Davies (Trophée Hassan II), Australian Andrew Dodt (Avantha Masters), Spain’s Pablo Martin, (Alfred Dunhill Championship), England’s James Morrison (Madeira Island’s Open BPI - Portugal) and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay (South African Open Championship).
Two of Denmark’s top golfers are also in the field, Anders Hansen, a two-time winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, and Søren Kjeldsen, who was in contention for the Masters Tournament heading into the weekend before finishing tied 30th.
Magnus Wiese, BMW GolfSport Marketing, said: “BMW has enjoyed a very strong partnership with The European Tour for more than two decades and we are delighted with the success of the BMW Italian Open since adding this esteemed tournament to our golfing portfolio last year. We have a tremendous line-up to look forward to next month, led by Italy’s World Cup winner Edoardo Molinari, Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie, and one of the most exciting talents in world golf, Matteo Manaserro. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Royal Park I Roveri in two week’s time.”
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “These are incredibly exciting times for Italian golf and we congratulate Francesco and Edoardo Molinari on their magnificent victory in the Omega Mission Hills World Cup last December. We are delighted Edoardo is playing the BMW Italian Open this week and wish Francesco every success in America at the Players Championship. We are also particularly delighted to welcome a new star in Matteo Manassero to the professional game this week. Matteo played a key role in the final submission to the International Olympic Committee a few months ago, helping secure golf’s return to the Olympic Games after an absence of more than a century. He has a bright future ahead of him and we wish him every success.”
Donato di Ponziano, Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, said: “The move to the Royal Park I Roveri close to the city of Turin last year proved a huge success and we are delighted to be returning at a time when Italian golfers are excelling on the world stage. We have an outstanding field and we are delighted to be welcoming Italy’s World Cup hero, Edoardo Molinari, and the exciting Matteo Manassero for his first event as a professional.
“We are also privileged to have Colin Montgomerie, a great ambassador for our sport, as well as a host of European Tour champions and we look forward to an exciting week in Turin.”
