The European Challenge Tour heads to Italy this week for the Italian Challenge. Here are our Three to Watch at Margara Golf Club…
Matteo Manassero
Matteo Manassero has seen a turnaround in form with three top 20 finishes in his last three starts, including a tie for 11th place at last week’s Euram Bank Open. The Italian became the youngest winner in European Tour history when he triumphed in the 2010 Castello Masters when at 17 years and 188 days old and went on to claim four titles by the age of 20, including the 2013 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. The four-time European Tour winner will be hoping that a combination of improved form and home advantage will result in a maiden Challenge Tour title and a climb up the Road to Mallorca Rankings.
Blake Windred
Blake Windred has enjoyed an impressive first season on the Challenge Tour with a tie for second at the Challenge de España followed by a tie for 11th at last week’s Euram Bank Open in Austria, which included a round of 65 on day two. The Australian currently sits in 30th place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and will be looking to take his form into the Italian Challenge in the hope of breaking into the top 20 and claiming a maiden Challenge Tour title.
Lorenzo Scalise
Lorenzo Scalise has experienced an upturn in form on the Challenge Tour with a tie for second place at the Kaskáda Golf Challenge followed by a tie for ninth at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge. The Italian played all four rounds under par and finished in a tie for 22nd at the Euram Bank Open last week and currently sits in 33rd place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings. Scalise finished second in the 2019 Italian Challenge as Matthew Jordan came out on top in a play-off at Terre Dei Consoli Golf Club but the 26-year-old will be hoping to go one better this year on home soil to secure a first victory on the Challenge Tour.
