BlogItalian Open Preview and Picks

Italian Open

September 15th-18th, 2016

Golf Club Milano

Parco Reale di Monza,, Italy

Par: 71 / Yardage: 7.156

Purse:$3.27 million

with $479,010 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Rikard Karlberg

italianopen2016

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes 22 of the top 100 in the latest Official World Rankings, with the highest ranked player in the field being #11 Danny Willett.  Here are the other top-100 players in the field: #29 Rafael Cabrera Bello, #30 Chris Wood, #35 Byeong Hun An, #43 Lee Westwood, #44 Andy Sullivan, #45 Thongchai Jaidee, #46 Matthew Fitzpatrick, #47 Soren Kjeldsen, #51 Martin Kaymer, #53 Tyrrell Hatton, #60 Joost Luiten, #65 Francesco Molinari, #69 Scott Hend, #81 Thorbjorn Olesen, #83 Jaco Van Zyl, #88 Rikard Karlberg, #90 Bradley Dredge, #92 Victor Dubuisson, #93 Jamie Donaldson, #95 Brandon Stone and #96 Marcus Fraser.

Last year there were 13 top 100 players in the field.

The field includes 14 of the Top 25 on this year’s Race to Dubai money list.  Those players include #1 Danny Willett, #4 Rafael Cabrera Bello, #7 Chris Wood, #9 Lee Westwood, #10 Tyrrell Hatton, #11 Joost Luiten, #12 Martin Kaymer, #14 Scott Hend, #16 Andy Sullivan, #18 Thongchai Jaidee, #19 Matthew Fitzpatrick, #20 Soren Kjeldsen, #23 Bradley Dredge and #25 Rikard Karlberg

The field includes 9 past champions: Rikard Karlberg (2015), Julien Quesne (2013), Robert Rock (2011), Daniel Vancsik (2009),  Francesco Molinari (2006), Steve Webster (2005), Mathias Gronberg (2003), Gregory Havret (2001) and Patrik Sjoland (1998).

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Italian Open field is our performance chart listed by average finish. One last way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Italian Open  in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Italian Open.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

 

**NOTE**

One thing to look for is our new GOLFstats IQ.  For those that play in fantasy golf it’s a perfect way to help you pick those players in Draft Kings and Victiv games.  You can customize the list of those in the tournaments, to look back a couple or many years of tournament stats and you can go back a couple or ten weeks prior to the tournament.  On top of that, all the stats are fully sortable to help you pick your six players, we even give you their value for the week to help you chose.

That’s GOLFstats IQ, give it a try and tell us what you think of it

24/7 GOLF is no more.  We have retired the name and the app for a new and better app for golf.  So check out

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So if you own a Iphone or a Ipad we have developed a perfect app called GOLF IQ.

 

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the Italian Open

Player KLM Open Omega Euro Masters Made in Denmark Czech Masters Olympic Golf Paul Lawrie Matchplay PGA Champ. Canadian Open British Open Scottish Open French Open BMW Intern.
Scott Hend
(191 pts)
T4
(80)
2
(100)
DNP DNP T39
(7.33)
DNP T42
(5.33)
DNP T72
(0)
T45
(1.67)
T56
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
Joost Luiten
(175 pts)
Win
(132)
DNP DNP DNP T27
(15.33)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
T16
(11.33)
Martin Kaymer
(165 pts)
DNP DNP T6
(60)
DNP T15
(23.33)
DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP T36
(9.33)
T13
(12.33)
T5
(23.33)
DNP
Alejandro Canizares
(151 pts)
T4
(80)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
DNP DNP DNP T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T63
(0)
Richard Bland
(149.33 pts)
T16
(34)
T5
(70)
DNP T27
(15.33)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T21
(9.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T45
(1.67)
David Lipsky
(142 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
T3
(90)
6
(40)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T28
(7.33)
Lee Westwood
(127 pts)
DNP 4
(80)
DNP T27
(15.33)
DNP DNP 85
(0)
DNP T22
(18.67)
DNP T11
(13)
DNP
Soren Kjeldsen
(120.33 pts)
DNP DNP T8
(50)
DNP T21
(19.33)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP T9
(30)
T21
(9.67)
DNP DNP
Anthony Wall
(117 pts)
DNP T18
(32)
DNP DNP DNP Win
(88)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
T39
(3.67)
T53
(0)
T59
(0)
Byeong Hun An
(109.33 pts)
3
(90)
DNP DNP DNP T11
(26)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T59
(0)
DNP DNP DNP
Pablo Larrazabal
(108 pts)
T20
(30)
T7
(55)
DNP DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T67
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
Renato Paratore
(107.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T7
(55)
T18
(32)
T27
(15.33)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T57
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Matthew Fitzpatrick
(105.67 pts)
DNP T7
(55)
CUT
(-10)
5
(46.67)
DNP T9
(30)
T49
(0.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
David Horsey
(105.67 pts)
T4
(80)
DNP CUT
(-10)
T47
(2)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T7
(18.33)
Fabrizio Zanotti
(105.67 pts)
T16
(34)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP T15
(23.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T34
(5.33)
T33
(5.67)
T16
(11.33)
Bradley Dredge
(103 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
2
(100)
T47
(2)
DNP DNP T79
(0)
DNP DNP T29
(7)
CUT
(-3.33)
T28
(7.33)
Oliver Fisher
(102.33 pts)
T28
(22)
T12
(38)
CUT
(-10)
T68
(0)
DNP 4
(53.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T33
(5.67)
Tyrrell Hatton
(99 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T10
(26.67)
DNP T5
(46.67)
2
(33.33)
T33
(5.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
Mike Lorenzo-vera
(98 pts)
T8
(50)
T12
(38)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T39
(3.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
T9
(15)
Thongchai Jaidee
(97.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T29
(21)
DNP DNP T15
(23.33)
DNP T73
(0)
DNP T22
(18.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
Win
(44)
T38
(4)
Nicolas Colsaerts
(97.33 pts)
T24
(26)
T24
(26)
DNP DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T46
(2.67)
T3
(30)
T22
(9.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
David Howell
(96 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T29
(21)
DNP T3
(60)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP T22
(18.67)
T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Joakim Lagergren
(94.67 pts)
T20
(30)
CUT
(-10)
5
(70)
DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T67
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Rafael Cabrera-Bello
(91 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
DNP T49
(0.67)
DNP T39
(7.33)
T21
(9.67)
4
(26.67)
DNP
Mikko Ilonen
(90 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T12
(38)
DNP DNP T21
(19.33)
T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
T25
(8.33)
69
(0)

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Italian Open

Player KLM Open Omega Euro Masters Made in Denmark Czech Masters Olympic Golf Paul Lawrie Matchplay PGA Champ. Canadian Open British Open Scottish Open French Open BMW Intern.
Bjorn Akesson
(-46.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Eddie Pepperell
(-38.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T54
(0)
T45
(1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
Simon Dyson
(-36.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
T61
(0)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Rhys Davies
(-36.67 pts)
T59
(0)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
S.S.P. Chawrasia
(-35.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T50
(0.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
T50
(0.33)
Jin Jeong
(-35.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Edouard Espana
(-35 pts)
DNP CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP WD
(-1.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Nathan Holman
(-33.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T68
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Jamie Mcleary
(-33.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T74
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
Borja Virto Astudillo
(-33.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-10)
T65
(0)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
71
(0)

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

The national open of Italy, this event was first started in 1925 when Italian Francesco Pasquali won.  There will be a lot of pride as the Italians try to win their championship, the last Italian to win was Francesco Molinari in 2006.  He was the first Italian champion since Massimo Mannelli won in 1980 and the seventh Italian winner of this championship.

This year’s event has a special date, it’s one of the last events for players to get ready for the Ryder Cup.  Martin Kaymer, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan, Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Chris Wood are in Italy to play this week.  Talking about Italy, this event has had a sizeable increase in prize money from 2 million euro last year to 3 million this year.  That’s because Italy is now deeply involved in the Ryder Cup since it’s going to be the home country in 2022.

Any withdrawal pangs???

It’s been 40 weeks since we didn’t have a PGA Tour event to watch and bet on.  But for those that like fantasy golf, Draft Kings does do European Tour events so you can go over and try and pick the best six players from this week’s Italian Open.

 

What about Golf Club Milano

The mystic of this tournament is that Edoardo and Francesco Molinari honed their games up the road on Golf Club Torino’s two course.  The Golf Club Milano, born in 1928, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Italian clubs. It was designed, with later additions, within the stately Monza Park just north of Milan.  The course is flat and parkland in nature with a lot of mature trees getting in players way if drives are wayward.  In looking at last year’s Italian Open played at Golf Club Milano, the number that really sticks out is how the players tore into the par 5s.  Winner Rikard Karlberg was 9 under while runner-up Martin Kaymer was 12 under and Joakim Lagergren who was in 3rd was 14 under.  Also in 3rd place and at 13 under on the par 5s was Danny Willett and Fabrizio Zanotti.  Also interesting to see how this year’s Ryder Cup players did well last year.  Martin Kaymer was 2nd, Matthew Fitzpatrick was T-3rd along with Danny Willett who isn’t playing in this week’s Italian Open.

Key stat for the players to win this week:

  • Hit lot’s of greens and fairways.  The course isn’t terribly long and the greens are above avearge.  But you can’t wonder off the fairways, some very mature trees will make it impossible to recover if you miss the fairway.  Also look for a player that is hot, they are always favorites in events like this.
  • The most important stat from last year’s event was how the leaders made lot’s and lot’s of birdies.  Winner Rikard Karlberg had 23, the same as runner-up Kaymer.  Jens Fahrbring, who was T-3rd has the most with 28
  • Again we can’t stress looking to see who is playing the best coming into this week.  Winners of late Thomas Pieters and Alex Noren are not in the field but last week’s KLM Champion Joost Luiten is in the field.  Also in the field is Scott Hend, who was runner-up at the Omega European Masters and T-4th at the KLM.  Alejandro Canizares was T-4th last week and playing well of late.
  • Look for some unsettling weather to hit the region on Thursday and Friday.  They are calling for 100% change of thunderstorms on Thursday, so very little gold could be played.  Friday is 70% but the weekend does look clear and pretty.

 

Who to watch for at the Italian Open

Best Bets:

Danny Willett

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T3

He had a terrible summer and hasn’t had a top-ten since his 3rd place finish at the BMW PGA. But he played ok at the Olympics and was T-12th at the European Masters so his game seems to be coming back. Was T-3rd last year, just one back of the winner so look for him to do well.

Martin Kaymer

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
2 T5 T14

He also is playing better and was 2nd last year losing a playoff to Rikard Karlberg.

Matthew Fitzpatrick

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T3

Top-10s in his last three starts, was T-3rd last year on this same course.

Best of the rest:

Scott Hend

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT T23 CUT T32

Has been on fire and I can see the good play continuing.

Joost Luiten

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T4 CUT 5 T32

Another playing well, Luiten didn’t play last year but does have two top-tens in Italy.

Rafael Cabrera-Bello

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T74 T59 CUT 9 T67 CUT T51 T56

Has had a great year and just looking for the win to really make it special.

Byeong Hun An

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
First time playing in this event

Playing in this event for the first time, game has come around and he is playing well, finishing 3rd last week at the KLM Open.

Solid contenders

Edoardo Molinari

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T65 T59 CUT T13 T17 T17 T30 CUT CUT CUT

Have to include one Italian in the list, you know he will play hard in his national championship.

Andy Sullivan

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T11 CUT

He would love to prove himself with a victory this week.

David Lipsky

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T3 T24

A guy to watch, was T-3rd last year in this event and has played well of late.

Fabrizio Zanotti

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T3 T16 T46 T25 T12

May sound Italian but from Paraguay, he has been very consistent this year and finished T-3rd last year.

Long shots that could come through:

David Horsey

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
T14 T16 CUT T23 2

Has played well in Italy and was T-4th at the KLM.

Richard Bland

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT T24 CUT T17 CUT CUT T51 CUT 65 CUT

Playing well of late.

Ben Evans

2016 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04
CUT

May of missed the cut in Italy last year but finished T-4th last week in the KLM.

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