The show of the 81st Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna begins at the Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia, one of the tournaments with the longest tradition of the DP World Tour, scheduled from Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th June. It will be anticipated on Wednesday 26 June by the Rolex Pro-Am in a day of extreme interest both on and off the pitch. In fact, they will participate in the team competition, each composed of a pro and three amateurs, some of the most anticipated protagonists, from the two Masters Champions, the American Patrick Reed and the English Danny Willett, to Guido Migliozzi and Matteo Manassero, the two Italians higher in the World Ranking and in the Race To Dubai (continental order of merit) who will defend the blue colors at the Paris Olympics, together with other excellent players in a high quality field. Then the press conferences with the declarations on the eve of the event which end up making the wait ever more lively. And also the collateral events, which involve the public and which make the Open a unique event of its kind.
The Rolex Pro-Am – Prologue to the highest national golf event, the Rolex Pro-Am with the participation of 24 teams each made up of a pro and three amateurs. In addition to the aforementioned quartet, other competitors capable of playing an important role in the Open will be followed such as the Spaniard Adrian Otaegui, the Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa, the South African Dylan Frittelli, the English Laurie Canter, the South African Zander Lombard and Edoardo Molinari. As evidence of how golf is an inclusive sport and open to all, the Iberian Adri Arnaus will lead a team with three Paralympic athletes: Davide Palestro, Cristiano Berlanda and Andrea Plachesi.
The game will be played with the “Tour Scramble – net aggregate team score in relation to par” and “Use your pro” formula and only birdies, eagles and any albatross will be counted for the ranking. Shotgun start at 12pm (i.e. all together from the various holes of the course).
The field – Reed and Willett, to give a further touch of quality to their career, Migliozzi and Manassero, like many of the other 18 Italians in the race, to conquer the title of the national Open that has been missing since 2016. They will not be the only reasons of interest, because the valuable field offers many others, in addition to making the list of favorites quite large. The other four competitors in the top ten of the Race To Dubai do not hide their ambitions, together with Migliozzi (n. 8): the Japanese Rikuya Hoshino (n. 4), the Swede Jesper Svensson (n. 6), the English Laurie Canter (n. 9) and the Spaniard Nacho Elvira (n. 10), all of whom have scored this season, like the Vicenza native and Manassero. Not to mention the Austrian Bernd Wiesberger (past winner, 2019), the Dutch Darius Van Driel, the German Yannik Paul, the Iberian Pablo Larrazabal, the French Antoine Rozner, the South Africans Dylan Frittelli and Zander Lombard, the Malaysian Gavin Green, the Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat and the Chinese Ashun Wu and Haotong Li.
The blues – Not just Migliozzi and Manassero. Among the Azzurri there are others who have experience and quality to compete at a high level such as Edoardo Molinari and Andrea Pavan, who have already won on the circuit, as well as Renato Paratore, even if at the moment he is not in good condition, but he has the class to change the trend. Also worth following are Lorenzo Scalise, Francesco Laporta and Filippo Celli, who also play on the DP World Tour, and a good opportunity for Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, Stefano Mazzoli, Gregorio De Leo and Aron Zemmer. The two amateurs Giovanni Binaghi and Riccardo Fantinelli will certainly gain valuable experience. Paralympic golfer Tommaso Perrino will play his third Open, after appearances in 2020 and 2021.
Borja Valero, an exceptional caddy in Cervia – Borja Valero, former midfielder of Inter and Fiorentina among other teams, will act as caddy for Lorenzo Gagli at the Italian Open. “I have been passionate about this sport since I was very young,” he said. I’m here as a caddy and I’m very happy. I’m waiting for you all at the Italian Open, a show with free entry, with great champions. Let’s all go golfing.”
Press conferences – On Wednesday 26 June, starting at 10:00 am, press conferences will be held in the Media Center with Patrick Reed, Matteo Manassero, Guido Migliozzi, Edoardo Molinari and Danny Willett.
Departures – In the first two laps Patrick Reed and Guido Migliozzi will be in the group with Laurie Canter (departures at 1.10pm, 8.10am). Danny Willett and Matteo Manassero will also play together with Zander Lombard (8:10, 13:10), while Edoardo Molinari will have as partners the Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and the Englishman Jordan Smith (8:20, 13:20).
History – The long and fascinating history of the Italian Open began on a September day in 1925, when three gentlemen in suits and ties showed up on the starting tee of the Alpino di Stresa, a course not yet completed and which the rain had made it very complicated. The Englishman William H. Jolly and Luigi Prette took off their jackets before starting the game, while Francesco Pasquali buttoned it up, according to his habit. The garment did not prevent him from performing perfect swings and in the end, with 154 shots over the 36 holes, he beat Jolly who totaled 155. It was the first Italian victory, but 23 years passed before Aldo Casera (1948) won in Sanremo . Meanwhile, the Frenchman Auguste Boyer set the record for successes with four, imitated at the turn of the First World War by the Belgian Flory Van Donck, a record that is still unbeaten. Subsequently, Ugo Grappasonni (1950-1954), Baldovino Dassù (1976), Massimo Mannelli (1980) and Francesco Molinari (2006-2016) brought the Italian victories to eight. Many champions have signed the roll of honor including, to name a few, the German Bernhard Langer, the Scots Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance, the Englishman Tony Jacklin and Billy Casper, the only American to have won
Race formula and prize money – The tournament will be 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 will be $3,250,000, of which $552,500 will go to the winner.
The tournament live on Sky Sport – The competition will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Golf (channel 206) and in streaming on NOW with connections at the following times: Thursday 27 and Friday 28 June, from 1pm to 6pm; Saturday 29th, from 1.30pm to 6.00pm; Sunday 30th, from 12.30pm to 5.30pm.
For all four days of competition, there will also be a studio inside Sky Sport 24 for commentary before, during and after each round, with Sky Sport Golf correspondents and commentators. At the end of each day, there will also be a 13-minute special with images of the best shots and the voices of the protagonists.
Double TV coverage, Rai will also broadcast the event – Double television coverage, Rai will also broadcast 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. In the first three days, daily summaries are scheduled on Rai Sport: night between Thursday 27 June and Friday 28 at 00:20; Friday 28th at 11pm; Saturday 29th at 11pm.
2 places up for grabs for The Open, the oldest Major in the world. In the Commercial Village, the Claret Jug – The match will represent 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 Italian Open presented by the Emilia-Romagna Region is free. Reservation required on: 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 the children, with the support of qualified CONI educators and federal technicians, will be able to 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 tests with PGAI instructors – At the entrance to the Commercial Village, the PGAI instructors will be available to help anyone who wants to experience the thrill of their first swing try golf. 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 will be available (round trip) from the Cervia-Milano Marittima railway station (Rotonda Monsignor Mario Marini). For this and other information, visit www.openditaliagolf.eu.
From the green to the beach, golf is everywhere and for everyone – Cervia and Milano Marittima are among the most popular seaside resorts on the Romagna Riviera and among the most sought after places when it comes to nightlife. And during the Italian Open golf is played, even on the beach. In fact, the Fantini Club has been transformed into a “green” on the beach, with free golf tests, which will end tomorrow, Wednesday 26 June.
The Adriatic Golf Club Cervia – It was founded in 1984 by the will of the Municipality of Cervia and the initiative and commitment of many local tourism entrepreneurs. In 2004, thanks to the synergy between the professional golfer Baldovino Dassù and the architect Alvise Rossi Fioravanti, another one was added to the first two 9-hole courses which brought the Club to its current 27. They unfold over an area of almost 100 hectares bordering the ancient pine forest and the sea, with an innovative design inspired by the Scottish links.
The Partners of the 81st Italian Open presented by the Emilia-Romagna Region – The 81st Italian Open has the Emilia-Romagna Region as its Institutional Presenting Partner. As Institutional Partners: Ministry of Tourism; Minister for Sport and Youth; Enit. And the support of: Rolex (Main Sponsor); Fideuram Intesa SanPaolo Private Banking (Official Bank); Enel (Official Sponsor); Kappa (Technical Sponsor); Technogym (Official Training Partner); Poste Assicura, Acqua S.Bernardo, Deloitte, Caffè Vergnano, Allegrini, APL Lavoro, Sharp (Official Supplier); Piva Group, Fantini Club, Noleggiare, Howden, Mirabilandia (Special Partner); Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, RDS (Media Partner). Official advisor: Infront Italy.
Italian Red Cross Charity Partner – The Italian Red Cross, which this year celebrates the 160th anniversary of its foundation, will be the official Charity Partner of the 81st Italian Open presented by the Emilia-Romagna Region. At the Adriatic Golf Club in Cervia, it will be present with information stands and will collaborate in healthcare assistance during the competition.
In the photo: Guido Migliozzi
