The Road to Mallorca will touch down in Continental Europe for the first time in 2026 this week for the Italian Challenge Open, taking place at Golf Nazionale. Here’s all you need to know…
Golf Nazionale
Golf Nazionale will host the Italian Challenge Open for a fourth time this week having first appeared on the Road to Mallorca back in 2022. Located 40 minutes north of Rome, the par 72 parkland layout runs through a mix of undulating greens, hilly terrain, water features and well-thought-out bunkering.
Despite being one of the most challenging courses in Italy, Golf Nazionale afforded low scoring during last year’s edition, with eventual winner, JC Ritchie, amassing 25 birdies, including seven in a row to start his final round.
The first European venue on the 2026 Road to Mallorca is also home to the Italian Golf Federation’s technical centre and was the venue for the first two days of the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup before the final day’s action headed to Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
Touchdown in Europe
After four co-sanctioned events in South Africa and one stop in India at the DP World PGTI Open, the Road to Mallorca hits Europe for the first time this week and will remain on the continent until the end of September. The Italian Challenge Open is the first of ten consecutive events in Europe concluding at the German Challenge powered by VcG before a one-week break takes place ahead of the Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge.
With 2000 Ranking points available at each event, any player who puts together a strong run of consistent form will massively boost their chances of earning one of 15 available DP World Tour cards come the end of the season.
Previous champions
As well as being a consistent fixture on the HotelPlanner Tour schedule in recent years, the Italian Challenge Open has been the stage for several big name winners, most notably Matteo Manassero, who cruised to a three-stroke victory in 2023, the same season he sealed his return to the DP World Tour.
Another Italian, Edoardo Molinari – serial winner across the HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour – has tasted victory at the event.
