Lehman and Woosnam reunited in Telecom Italia Open

Tom Lehman and Ian Woosnam, respective Captains of the United States and Europe in The 2006 Ryder Cup, will be reunited for the first time on European soil since the contest at The K Club when they compete in the 2007 Telecom Italia Open which will feature a record prize fund of €1,700,000.

The tournament, at the picturesque Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Milan, will take place from May 3-6, 2007 and will be the 64^th overall staging of an event which has been a fixture on The European Tour International Schedule since 1972.

This year’s record prize fund represents an increase of €300,000 on the 2006 figure and will feature a first prize of €283,330, €50,000 more than the cheque pocketed by Francesco Molinari after his memorable triumph in his home country last May.

Lehman, who has five US PGA Tour victories to his name, is a frequent visitor to Europe and indeed won The 1996 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes and the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond on The European Tour a year later. But the visit to Milan will represent the 47 year old American’s first appearance in the Telecom Italia Open.

“I am very much looking forward to my trip to Italy and my debut in the Telecom Italia Open,” said Lehman. “Milan is such a beautiful city and I have been told that Castello di Tolcinasco is a wonderful venue – I look forward to the test it will present.”

Woosnam, who has 29 European Tour victories to his credit, has never savoured success in the Italian Open but the 48 year old Welshman has come close, finishing tied second at Is Molas in 1982, three shots adrift of winner Mark James, and second on his own at Castelconturbia in 1991, one shot behind champion Craig Parry and two shots clear of Constantino Rocca, who took third after a fine closing 66.

For many years, Rocca carried the hopes of the host nation in the event without fruition but the home fans’ wait for success ended in spectacular fashion last year when Francesco Molinari stormed to his maiden Tour victory by four shots.

“I thoroughly enjoyed competing at Castello di Tolcinasco in 2006 and it proved to be a special occasion for all the local people with Francesco’s win,” said Woosnam. “I played pretty well last year myself, with my second round 66 being the highlight – I’d certainly take four more of those this time round.”

Donato Di Ponziano, President of the Organising Committee of the Telecom Italia Open, said: “We are delighted that Tom and Ian have confirmed their participation in this year’s Telecom Italia Open.

“With Francesco returning as defending champion we are guaranteed big crowds, but the appearance of the two men who were at the heart of the spectacular Ryder Cup at The K Club last September can only enhance that, and we look forward to an excellent week at Castello di Tolcinasco.”