From Portugal to Italy, we travel to Sicily this week for the Rocco Forte Open. Long-time European Tour fans may remember this week's venue as Ventura Resort hosted the 2012 Sicilian Open, where Thorbjorn Olesen won his first European Tour title.
The 7,350 yard seaside course offers a spectacular test for players with the back nine making its way along the cliff tops by the Mediterranean Sea. Olesen won here with a score of 15 under par and with warm weather and mild winds forecast, scoring should be good once again. With that in mind, our stats expert has hand picked three players for consideration on your Fantasy teams.
Pick of the favourites: James Morrison
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After two weeks off, resting and working on his game, James Morrison arrives in Italy in fine form. In nine events so far this season, the Englishman is 67 under par with five top 15 finishes and just one missed cut. After a strong start in 2016, Morrison's late season form was not what he would have wanted. The 32 year old has worked hard on his game and has since improved statistically in Stroke Average, Driving Distance, Driving Accuracy, Greens in Regulation and Putts per Round. He is one of only five players on Tour with more than 30 rounds that are averaging less than 70. With that type of improvement and a link-style course, Morrison is certainly one to watch.
Form horse: Matteo Manassero
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Many fans have enjoyed seeing the recent resurgence Matteo Manassero. The Italian won three times as a teenager on Tour but has failed to win in the last four years. Now 24, Manassero has made the cut in 10 of his last 11 events with a top three finish in India earlier in the season. Of players with more than 30 rounds this season, only Thomas Aiken and Benjamin Hebert are hitting more greens than Manassero, who is hitting the putting surfaces at a rate of more than 76 percent. He has often talked about his love for links golf and whilst this course maybe isn't a tradition links layout, it should suit that type of game. If Manassero can get his putter going, he could well be in contention come Sunday night.
Wildcard: Daniel Im
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Daniel Im often flies under the radar with Fantasy users but has the game to be in consideration this week. The American's accurate tee-to-green game has seen him made eight of his last nine cuts, including a top 15 in his last start at the Shenzhen International where he carded four rounds of 70 or better. In his last start in Italy, Im finished inside the top 20 and is prone to good start based on his form this season.
Those are our picks, now it’s time to make yours. Whether you are playing theFantasy Race to Dubaior our newDaily Fantasy Game, be sure to make your picks before the event begins on Thursday. Good luck!
