Italian job required for Ryder Cuppers
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2012 BMW Italian Open | Preview | 13 Sep 2012
The European Tour this week plays its last event before the Ryder Cup when the BMW Italian Open and three of the European side are in the field.
Francesco Molinari, Nicolas Colsaerts and Matin Kaymer will spearhead the line-up at the Robert Trent Jones Snr layout at Royal Park 1 Roveri in Turin.
The event is being played at this venue for the third consecutive year with Robert Rock defending the title he won twelve months ago. Rock is playing well below the level he was at last year however and a successful defence would surprise.
Molinari finished 8th in the event last year and has played well enough in recent weeks for his to be a factor this week. He is the highest ranked player in the field ahead of Kaymer and Colsaerts and a parochial crowd might also help one of Italy’s favourite golfing sons across the line.
Colsaerts is playing well at present having finished 8th last week in Hilversum and two weeks earlier was 7th in Greensboro. He has not played this venue previously but has become such a quality player he should do well.
Kaymer threw out a few signals last week at the KLM Open that things might be getting a little better after has been a torrid time in 2012. He has slipped from 4th at the start of the year to 32nd in the world ranking. He needs a boost this week if he is to be an asset to the European team. Kaymer has not played this venue previously.
Thorbjorn Olesen is developing a reputation as an Italian specialist. He finished runner-up in this event last year and won the Sicilian Open earlier this season. His form has been mixed in recent weeks but there has been enough shown to warrant consideration.
The Australasians in the field are Andrew Dodt, Matthew Zions, Scott Strange and David McKenzie.
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