Italians immediately protagonists in the first round of the 81st Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna. Andrea Pavan is in the lead with 64 (-7) shots, tied with the Danish Sebastian Friedrichsen and the American Gunner Wiebe, while Francesco Laporta is sixth with 66 (-5) and Jacopo Vecchi Fossa twelfth with 67 (-4).
On the course of the Adriatic Golf Club of Cervia (par 71) the Malaysian Gavin Green and the Swede Marcus Kinhult are in fourth position with 65 (-6) and in sixth, with Laporta, also the Spaniards Adri Arnaus and Adrian Otaegui, the another American Sean Crocker, the Frenchman Ugo Coussaud and the Canadian Aaron Cockerill.
In the tournament, followed by 4,000 spectators, Matteo Manassero, 20th with 68 (-3), reiterated his good moment. One more shot for Edoardo Molinari and Aron Zemmer, 31st with 69 (-2), and a good performance from the amateur Giovanni Binaghi, 51st with 70 (-1) together with Filippo Celli.
Guido Migliozzi and the two awaited Masters Champions were not brilliant. The Vicenza native, winner of the KLM last week and who will defend the Italian colours with Manassero at the next Paris Olympics, paid a high price for two bogeys at the start, but managed to recover, but remained on par (74th with 71).
The American Patrick Reed, one of the stars of LIV Golf, 31st with 69 (-2), started with a birdie then set the score with another almost at the end and 16 holes in par. The Englishman Danny Willett, 99th with 72 (+1), went up and down and in the end the balance was in the red.
Andrea Pavan, a 35-year-old Roman with two titles on the circuit and five on the Challenge Tour, made seven birdies without bogeys: “I’m happy,” he said, “because I signed the best score of the year. Like last week, I felt good with the irons and created numerous birdie opportunities. Then a good feeling with the putter did the rest.” Having finished tenth in the 2019 Open, he returned to the top ten on the DP World Tour last week (fourth in the KLM Open) and with today’s performance he confirmed his excellent condition.
Francesco Laporta, 33 years old from Castellana Grotte (BA), three successes on the Challenge Tour, scored six birdies and a bogey. He said he was satisfied with his performance, then added: “The course requires attention, because the slightest mistake is paid. In particular, the shafts are close to the rough and if you miss the fairway, the shot to the green is not easy”. He was the best Italian at the Open in 2021 (fourth) and in 2019 (seventh), a result that had a great weight on his morale, because shortly after he won two matches on the Challenge Tour and the order of merit, earning the ‘card’ for the major circuit.
The 35-year-old Gunner Wiebe, who has played some races on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour without significant results, also made a clear run, also with seven birdies. Sebastian Friedrichsen, 21 years old, in his 19th appearance, earned his pass to the DP World Tour with third place at the Qualifying School. For him eight birdies and a bogey.
The departures in the second round – In the second round Patrick Reed and Guido Migliozzi will play with Laurie Canter (8:10 am, tee 10). Danny Willett and Matteo Manassero will be on the court with Zander Lombard (1.10pm, tee 1), while Edoardo Molinari will have as partners the Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and the Englishman Jordan Smith (1.20pm, tee 1) and Andrea Pavan will be on the court with the Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa and the Spanish Pablo Larrazabal (12.50, tee 1). First departure at 7.30am, last at 2.30pm.
Formula di gara e montepremi – The tournament is played over a distance of 72 holes. After the first two laps the cut will leave the top 65 classified in the race and any ties in 65th place. The prize pool is $3,250,000, of which $552,500 will go to the winner.
AIGG Golden Ball to Roberto Zappa – It will be assigned to Roberto Zappa, Technical Commissioner of the Women’s National Amateur Team, the AIGG/Targa Golden Ball Fulvio Golob. The recognition of the Italian Golf Journalists Association rewards the person who has most distinguished himself in the panorama of Italian golf for competitive, technical or managerial merits. The delivery will take place on Friday 28 June, at 11 am, at the Media Center of the 81st Italian Open presented by the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Talk show Howden – The talk show on the theme “Injuries, engagements, prizes, the unexpected stop”, promoted by Howden, a leading international insurance brokerage group and special partner of the tournament, was held in the Media Center of the 81st Italian Open presented by the Emilia-Romagna Region. From golf to football and other sports, the discussion focused on how to protect sporting events and safeguard athletes in their careers through insurance assistance. Speakers included former footballer Christian Panucci, multiple winner of the Champions League and championships with Milan and Real Madrid and a golfer as a hobby, Emanuele Canonica, a professional competing at the Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia and winner on the European Tour (now DP World Tour), and Federico Casini, CEO of Howden Italia. Moderator was journalist Francesco Acampora.
Talk Fantini Club LIVE – On the Terrace of the Hospitality Village, in front of the 18th hole, the journalist Lorenzo Dallari hosted the Talk Fantini Club LIVE where the following spoke: Mattia Missiroli, Mayor of Cervia; Stefano Deantoni, Marketing Director Infront Italy; Massimo Scarpa, Technical Commissioner of the Men’s National Professional Team; Claudio Fantini, CEO Fantini Club; Massimo Bonini, former Juventus footballer, passionate golfer.
The tournament live on Sky Sport – The competition will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Golf (channel 206) and streamed on NOW with links at the following times: Friday 28 June, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm; Saturday 29, from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm; Sunday 30, from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
On match days, there will also be a studio within Sky Sport 24 for comments before, during and after each round, with Sky Sport Golf correspondents and commentators. At the end of each day, a 13-minute special is also scheduled with images of the best shots and the voices of the protagonists.
Double TV coverage, Rai also broadcasts the event – Double television coverage, Rai also broadcasts the event. On Sunday 30 June, the final round will be live on Rai Sport from 2.45pm to 5.30pm and also in full on Rai Play from 12.30pm. Summaries are scheduled on Rai Sport: Friday 28th and Saturday 29th at 11pm.
Up for grabs are 2 places for The Open, the oldest Major in the world. In the Commercial Village, the Claret Jug – The match represents an important test for the 156 players. The top 2 finishers, if not already qualified, will earn a place in the field of The Open, which was also won in 2018 by Francesco Molinari. In the Commercial Village, available for photos and selfies, is also the famous Claret Jug, a silver jug made in 1872, one of the most coveted awards for every golf champion.
Free admission for the public – Entrance for the public to the 81st Open d’Italia presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna is free. Reservations are required at: www.openditaliagolf.eu .
Golf and much more. Fun is guaranteed with the Family Open – A celebration of sport and fun. From 9:00 to 19:00, children, with the support of CONI qualified educators and federal technicians, can carry out dynamic and engaging disciplines and recreational activities such as: tennis, padel, fencing, motorboating, mountain biking, checkers, rapatennis and there will be a fishing simulator. The Italian Sports Medical Federation was also present for dissemination. For an inclusive and exciting Open, even for the little ones which, thanks to the US KIDS equipment and the preparatory activities offered, aims to bring more and more children closer to the world of golf.
Free golf trials with PGAI instructors – At the entrance to the Commercial Village, the PGAI instructors are available to give golf a try to anyone who wants to experience the thrill of their first swing. For those who want, by registering on site, there is also a 15-minute lesson.
Information for spectators – From 27 to 30 June a shuttle service is available (round trip) from the Cervia-Milano Marittima railway station (Rotonda Monsignor Mario Marini). For this and other information, visit www.openditaliagolf.eu.
Interviews, videos and photos on the official event website – The highlights of the Rolex Pro-Am, the video interviews with the protagonists, the photo gallery and all the information for spectators are online on the website: www.openditaliagolf.eu
In the photo: Andrea Pavan
