16. ITALIAN OPEN. CASTELLO DI TOLCINASCO G & CC, 3-6 MAY '07

We head from Spain last week, to Italy this - the tour has at last taken hold in its home continent, as we approach the tour's flagship event - the BMW PGA at Wentworth, over Whitson Bank Holiday Weekend, (I won't be going this year, as I'm in Cardiff).

This Italian venue is relatively new, having staged only the last 3 Italian Opens, is very spectacular, and quite long at over 7200 yards.

Last year, one of the Molinari brothers (the younger Francesco) triumphed, to secure a first Italian winner of the Italian Open since 1980. Both Francesco and Eduardo (his elder brother) are competing this week, although Eduardo is making only his second appearance in the tournament, his first as a professional, as he played last year as an amateur, and missed the cut.
Big things are expected of the two Molinaris, and the sibling rivalry cannot but help their progression through the tour ranks one would think?

Also playing near Milan this week is Graeme McDowell, a winner at Castello on its first Italian open hosting in 2004. Graeme is playing well at the moment, in fits and bursts - consistent, rather than spectacular...





Selections:

Jacquelin £1.50p e/w 22-1
P.Hanson £1 e/w 40-1
Kaymer £1 e/w 33-1
A.Canizares £1 e/w 50-1
O.Fisher 50p e/w 100-1


Balance before stake: £416.75p
Stake: £10
Balance after stake (pre-tournament): £406.75p

____________________________________________________


Result:

Jacquelin Final pos'n: =7th
P.Hanson Final pos'n: m/c
Kaymer Final pos'n: =14th
A.Canizares Final pos'n: m/c
O.Fisher Final pos'n: =14th


Winnings: £0
Profit/Loss: -£10

Final balance after tournament: £406.75p


COMMENT:

Pretty non descript really, with the Spaniard Gonzales Fernandez-Castano winning the shortened tournament (due to torrential rain in Milan) so making his tournament wins tally move to 3. He beat Marcus Brier in the playoff, but once again, Nick Dougherty shouls be kicking himself, letting a 3 shot lead disappear witha few holes to go. That's becoming the norm for Dougherty this year - a bit shakey at the business end of tournaments.

As for the "Twenty-Six" selections... a mixed bag, with Raphael Jacquelin doing the best, finishing just one shot and 1 spot off making "Twenty Six" a small return...

On to next week...