Bernd Wiesberger says he will not be making any changes to his tournament routine as he prepares to defend his Italian Open title.
The Austrian held off Matt Fitzpatrick by a shot at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome last year, with the 2020 edition taking place at Chervó Golf Club in Brescia.
“It’s a different golf course this year, a bit closer to home,” Wiesberger said.
“So I was able to take my own car and drive down in my own time. Lovely area here, near Lake Garda. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to see much, but lovely area. Definitely enjoy coming back to the Italian Open.
“I go about my own stuff and try to prepare well for the tournament every week and play as good golf as I can in those particular weeks.
“It’s not something that you do every week (defending a title). I’ve not won that many times that it’s become a standard procedure, but it’s definitely enjoyable to come back to a tournament where you are defending the title, especially with it being a big event in the schedule. It’s special to defend a title, but it doesn’t put any extra pressure on me.”
World Number 35 Wiesberger has not missed a cut since golf resumed following the coronavirus lockdown, but is looking to put himself in contention more regularly having only had one top-ten finish at the ISPS Handa UK Championship.
“I took a couple of days off after Scotland and Wentworth,” added the seven-time European Tour winner. “It’s not really been going my way lately, not playing great either, not finding any momentum.
“There have been very positive things in all aspects of the game and some slips in all aspects as well, where I just want to find some momentum to it, some good vibes to it, getting a couple of low rounds in a row.
“I tried to get off a little bit, had a couple of good talks with my performance coach and a good session on the Monday this week at home as well.
“Just trying to enjoy it a little bit more, let it happen a bit more. All the good things are there in the game, just need to tighten up a little bit and get going. Hopefully we can do this from the get-go Thursday afternoon.”
Among those looking to dethrone Wiesberger is home favourtie Renato Paratore.
“It’s really nice to be home in Italy and enjoying good weather,” said Paratore.
“It’s October but it’s still really good weather and I like to play in the sun, and also I like the course – it’s a good test of golf – so I’m enjoying it.”
