Costantino Rocca

The Italian worked in a polystyrene box factory for eight years while working on his game. When he turned 24 he turned pro and was sixth at the 1982 European Tour Qualifying school. Things didn't work out and he was forced to return three times to qualifying school. When things still didn't work out, he played on the European Challenge Tour in 1989. He placed third on the money list which earned him another try on the European tour in 1990. He won twice in 1993 and with the wins became the first Italian since Massimo Mannelli to win on the European Tour. He went on to became a true champion when he won the 1996 PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. Remembered for the fluffed chip followed by the 60 foot putt at the 18th at St Andrews to force a play-off with John Daly in the 1995 Open Golf Championship, which he subsequently lost, and his crucial singles win by 4 and 2 over Tiger Woods in The 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama to help Europe win. Remains the only Italian to date to have played in The Ryder Cup. Italy's most decorated golfer joined the European Seniors Tour at the beginning of 2007 and was set to make an emotional debut in his home national open, the Sharp Italian Seniors Open at Circolo Golf Venezia in May.
1990 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 28; in money - 21; top ten finishes - 1; stroke average 71.90 (ranked T-45th); money £82,612 (ranked 48th); Best finish, 2nd Torras Monte Carlo Open...
1991 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 23; top ten finishes - 7; stroke average 71.69 (ranked T27th); money £144,862 (ranked 26th), best finish, 3rd Italian Open...
1992 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 29; in money - 23; top ten finishes - 6; stroke average 71.15 (ranked 24th); money £175,092 (ranked 27th); best finish, T-3rd French Open...
1993 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 30; in money - 23; top ten finishes -11; stroke average 71.07 (ranked 11th); money £403,866 (ranked 6th); winner Open V33 Du Grand Lyon, Peugeot Open de France.
1994 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 21; in money - 16; top ten finishes - 5; stroke average 71.29 (ranked 20th); money £165,122 (ranked 30th); best finish T-2nd, European Open. He was also 2nd in the individual portion of the World Cup.
1995 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 24; in money - 24; top ten finishes - 11; stroke average 70.46 (ranked 4th); money £516,320 (ranked 4th); best finish 2nd, British Open, Turespansa Open Andalucia, Turespana Open Baleares, T-2nd Benson & Hedges International Open and Canon European Masters.
1995 PGA Tour Summary: Played in two PGA Tour events: 2nd in British Open (considered official PGA Tour start) and T-17th in the PGA Championship.
1996 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 17; top ten finishes - 8; stroke average 70.83 (ranked 3rd); money £482,585 (ranked 4th); winner, Volvo PGA Championship.
1996 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 8; in money - 5; top ten finishes - 0; money $41,316 (ranked 205th); best finish T-27th, NEC World Series of Golf.
1997 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 28; in money - 20; top ten finishes - 7; stroke average 70.69 (ranked 12th); money £315,077 (ranked 12th); winner, Canon European Masters.
1997 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 5; in money - 3; top ten finishes - 1; money $118,025 (ranked 156th); best finish T-5th in Masters.
1998 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 16; top ten finishes - 4; stroke average 71.12 (ranked 24th); money £220,759 (ranked 28th); best finish 4th, Canon European Masters.
1999 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 29; in money - 21; top ten finishes - 3; stroke average 71.51 (ranked 42nd); money £314,417 or £224,584 (ranked 35th); winner, West of Ireland Golf Classic.
2000 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 10; top ten finishes - 0; stroke average 73.29 (ranked 165th); money £61,221 or £36,409 (ranked 152nd); best finish T28th, Benson & Hedges
2001 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 12; top ten finishes - 2; stroke average 71.33 (ranked 78th); money £259,566 or £161,387 (ranked 74th); best finish T2nd, Novotel Perrier Open de France.
2002 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 10; top ten finishes - 1; stroke average 73.22 (ranked 169th); money £259,566 or £161,387 (ranked 74th); best finish T2nd, North West of Ireland Open.
2003 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 69; top ten finishes - 0; stroke average 73.03 (ranked 183rd); money £27,602 or £19,244 (ranked 199th); best finish 41st, Dutch Open.
2004 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 22; in money - 5; top ten finishes - 0; stroke average 73.59 (ranked 186th); money £26,777 or £18,517 (ranked 202nd); best finish 35th, KLM Open.
2005 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 20; in money - 9; top ten finishes - 0; stroke average 72.66 (ranked 171st); money £31,074 or £21,003 (ranked 201st); best finish T35th, KLM Open.
2006 PGA European Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 18; in money - 3; top ten finishes - 0; stroke average 73.20 (ranked 195th); money £16,841 or £24,654 (ranked 216th); best finish T37th, Dubai Desert Classic.
2007 European Seniors Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 14; top-10 finishes - 8; Euro ¢277,783 (ranked 2nd); Winner Aib Irish Open & Seniors Tour Championship.
Only played twice on Champions Tour, best finish T54th Senior British Open.
2008 European Seniors Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 16; top-10 finishes - 7; â?¬140,532 (ranked 9th); best finish T3rd, Azores Senior Open.
2008 Champions Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 3; top 10 finishes- 1; stroke average 73.75 (ranked N/A); money $59,034 (ranked 100th); best finish, T8th, Senior British Open.
2009 European Tour record
Madeira Island Open¬T72nd¬72-76-79-75=302¬+18¬ �1,045.50
BMW Italian Open¬Cut¬74-70=144¬+2¬
2009 European Seniors Tour record:
The Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters¬T12th¬72-66-74=212¬-1¬ �6,040.89