Rock heads to US with Italian Open title
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2011 BMW Italian Open | Wrap | 13 Jun 2011
England’s Robert Rock has finally broken through for his first European Tour victory but as maiden wins should be, he had to fight every step of the way to break the drought.
Rock was actually passed in the lead even before he teed off in his final round, Thorbjorn Olesen, who started two hours earlier than the third round leader racing through the opening in 29 to take the lead.
Rock was not about to let this golden opportunity slip him by however although an early bogey had him two behind the Dane. Rock then found his gears with four birdies from the 5th to regain the lead but Olesen would not go away.
When Olesen birdied his final hole for a round of 62 he shared the lead but Rock found a way to edge ahead with a birdie at the 11th and 13th and although he bogeyed the 12th he had enough in store to see it out.
England’s Gary Boyd also rallied late to share second position with Olesen wile Scotland’s Peter Whiteford was the next best in 4th postion.
Rock will be buoyed by his breakthrough as he heads to Washington DC for this coming week’s US open having qualified for the event two weeks ago.
Tournament favourites Matteo Manassero and Francesco Molinari finished tied for 8th.
The leading Australian was Marcus Fraser who finished 23rd with Daniel Gaunt 33rd.
The European Tour, or at least those who wish to play the event and who are not involved at the US Open, will now play the St Omer Open in France.
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