Dougherty heads field at Italian Open
IN: News | European PGA | Italian Open (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 07 May 2008
The European Tour moves from Seville in Spain to Milan in Italy for this week’s Methorios Capital Italian Open and although devoid of many of Europe’s stars, due to their involvement in the Players Championship this week, the tournament is evenly matched in terms of potential winners.
The event is being played at the Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club, an Arnold Palmer designed facility opened in 1993 but one which has been used for this event since 2004.
The defending champion is Gonzalo Federez Castano, who defeated Australian Markus Brier in a playoff last year in an event reduced to 54 holes after rain had interrupted play during the second round. Federez Castano was 5th in Portugal recently but that apart there has not been too much to get excited about in regard to his form.
Nick Dougherty is by some way the leading world ranked player in the field and with a third place finish in the event last year he has claims this year. Dougherty withdrew from the Verizon Heritage event just a few days after finishing 33rd in the Masters which in itself was a very good effort.
The local golfer Francesco Molinari mixes his form somewhat but he finished third in Shanghai at his last start and is a previous winner (2006) of this event on this golf course. He also finished third in this event twelve months ago indicating a real liking for the golf course. He seems unfazed by carrying the expectations of Italian golf in his own National Open so has a good chance.
Anders Hansen has been playing in much stronger fields than this of late in the United States and having finished runner up at this venue behind Molinari in 2006 and the same behind Steve Webster in 2005 he is a genuine chance.
Soren Kjeldsen has missed only one cut in his last thirteen starts worldwide and with a fourth place finish in this event two years ago he has plenty to recommend his chances this week.
Robert Karlsson arrives in Italy after a very impressive 8th placed finish at Augusta and as such he should be respected as a genuine chance to do well. He has not played this event often but is capable of beating stronger fields than this when in form.
Charl Schwartzel came unstuck last week in Spain after a good run of form prior. He is amongst the leading world ranked players in this field and he should recover from his poor effort in Seville.
Australasian representation is not particularly strong but the improving Gareth Paddison could do well after making several cuts in succession. Matthew Millar is also in the field along with Peter Fowler, Terry Pilkadaris and Steve Alker.
