Italian Golf Season Set for Stylish Finale in Milan
The Italian Open at Golf Club Milano next month has the largest purse in the event's history
Italian golf is on the up right now as the country looks forward to hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2022
Italian Golf Season Set for Stylish Finale in Milan
The Italian Open returns next month and it is set to be the most lucrative yet.
The tournament's prize fund of €3m has doubled in recent years and is set to be a massive €7m in 2017 as the build-up gathers pace ahead of Italy hosting the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2022.
Golf Club Milano will host the Italian Open for the eighth time when the 73rd edition of the championship comes round from September 15-18.
The tournament is one of the oldest and most prestigious events on tour. It's taken place since 1925 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule every year since the tour was formed back in 1972.
Related: Rikard Karlberg beats Martin Kaymer to 2015 Italian Open
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Recent winners of the title include European Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter (twice), Graeme McDowell and Francesco Molinari.
Then going back, the likes of Tony Jacklin, Sandy Lyle, Peter Alliss, Sam Torrance and Bernhard Langer have all lifted the Italian Open trophy.
This year’s line-up is set to feature Masters champion Danny Willett, Martin Kaymer, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Lee Westwood and Rafael Cabrera Bello.
Italian number one Francesco Molinari, his brother Edoardo and Matteo Manassero will lead the home challenge.
Italian golf is certainly booming right now.
With the Italian Golf Federation playing a leading role under the leadership of president Franco Chimenti, and helped by the launch this year of the new Italy Golf & More project, Italy has strengthened its position as it aims to become one of Europe’s top golf destinations.
The numbers are certainly looking good. The amount of international green fee bookings has risen by more than 20 per cent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year.
Bruno Bertero, project co-ordinator for Italy Golf & More, said: “These are exciting times for golf in Italy, and this year’s Italian Open is forecast to break all sorts of records for the tournament, including for the number of people attending.
“The substantial increase in prize money this year and next will help to raise the profile further in Europe, and introduce a far wider audience to the many benefits of playing golf in Italy.”
Related: Italy now a major player for UK&I golf breaks
Golfers can take advantage of outstanding value on stay-and-play packages when visiting next month’s Italian Open – with four-night packages starting from just €357 (approx £300) per person.
As well as including entry to the tournament each day, the range of breaks include four nights’ bed and breakfast at a choice of hotel accommodation around Lake Como and two rounds of golf per person at eight of the leading courses in the area including Villa d’Este, Castelconturbia, Menaggio, Le Robinie and Bogogno.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
What Is The NCAA?
The NCAA plays a key role in the college careers of many players who make it in the professional game, but what is it?
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red 'Reluctantly' Counter-Sues Company Over Logo-Infringement Claims
Sun Day Red and Tigeraire are now involved in two separate lawsuits - one motioned by each side - relating to the respective companies logos
By Jonny Leighfield Published