This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
ITALIAN OPEN
Location: Brescia, Italy
Course: Gardagolf CC
Yardage: 7,201
Par: 71
Tournament Preview
This week the European Tour is in Italy for the Italian Open. It is the second event in the Rolex Series, so again this week we will see a stronger field competing for an inflated purse. The tournament is at Gardagolf for the first time since 2003. It is a picturesque parkland course, with tight fairways and sloping greens. Water appears on almost half of the holes. This is the home course of Nino Bertasio and Matteo Manassero, both of whom will be competing this week.
Key Stats to Winning at Gardagolf CC
• Driving Accuracy
• Greens in Regulation
• SG:Off the Tee
• SG:Putting
Past Champions
2017 - Tyrrell Hatton
2016 - Francesco Molinari
2015 - Rikard Karlberg
2014 - Hennie Otto
2013 - Julien Quesne
DRAFTKINGS PICKS
Ross Fisher - $9,700 (28/1)
Ross appeared to be back in form last week after a lackluster stretch to start the year. He finished T2 last year at this event. Although last year was at another venue, both courses have many similarities and require the same skills to succeed. He should be a good pivot play from the other top tier plays to avoid high ownership. Fisher is an elite player, solid ball striker and ranked 41st in official world golf rankings.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - $9,600 (14/1)
It has been a good couple months for Fitzpatrick. His highest finish came last week at BMW PGA Championship, with a T8. He is another player who plays well in Italy, all T16 or better in this event. He is accurate off the tee, which will be needed this week. He is ranked 37th in driving accuracy. Matthew is also been good with the flat stick, he is ranked 23rd in SG:putting.
Lucas Bjerregaard - $8,900 (40/1)
Lucas has been on a rampage the last few tournaments. He finished T3 last week, solo fifth in Sicily and solo sixth before that at China Open. As long as he can keep the ball in play off the tee, he should have similar results this week. Lucas is ranked 34th in greens in regulation and 65th in SG:off the tee. His highest finish in this tournament was T3 in 2015.
Matteo Manassero - $7,200 (66/1)
Toward the bottom of the pricing, Manassero is enticing. He is a local who knows this course well. He has been steady this season with six consecutive made cuts. Matteo has struggled in this tournament recently, but he enters this week in better form than he has in the past. He is ranked 26th on tour in greens in regulation. The home course narrative may make him a chalky play this week, yet he is worth a look.
