Golf: Italian Open Bet Preview
Venue: Marco Simone Golf Club, Rome, Italy.
Dates: 2nd – 5th September 2021
Tournament Preview
With the Ryder Cup on the horizon later in the month, attention now turns to scoring points and pocketing prize money on the European Tour. Plenty of big names and fringe players will be targeting this tournament as a chance to impress Padraig Harrington and with 3 million euros in the prize pot, there is plenty to play for. The event was first established in 1925 and is one of the most prestigious on the European Tour and the standard of golf should be high once more in 2021 – especially with so much at stake.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
All of the biggest hitters on the European Tour are present in Rome meaning it should be a hotly contested week of golf:-
Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick now spends most of his playing time on the PGA Tour, but he has a game well suited to all conditions and he will be eager to find form here in Rome.
Another Englishman looking to get into his stride is Tommy Fleetwood, after his Ryder Cup heroics in 2018 and he could once again be pivotal to Europe’s chances this time around.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger is one of the most consistent performers on the European Tour and points and prize money here could propel him into Ryder Cup contention.
Thomas Pieters has been improving over the past few weeks and the Belgian is sure to be in contention in favourable playing conditions this week.
Englishman Sam Horsfield has been a stand out performer on the European Tour throughout the past couple of seasons and he a justified candidate in an open field here.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first round leader picks:-
Former world number one Henrik Stenson is still one of the very best in the business on his day and he will be hoping to build on back to back top 5 finishes on the European Tour.
Home favourite Francesco Molinari has really struggled for form over the past couple of seasons, but he is a classy ball striker, and he will be willed round by home support in Rome.
American John Caitlin has picked up some mightily impressive wins on the European Tour this term and he could once again be a player to look out for from the off in Rome.
Top Five Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in Rome, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 5 come Sunday:-
Seen by many as a potential wildcard pick for the Ryder Cup, Matt Wallace will be doing all he can to put his hat in the ring come Sunday afternoon.
Andy Sullivan is another player on the edge of Europe’s Ryder Cup plans and having played in the event before, he will be hungrier than ever for a taste of the action.
German Marcel Siem has finished in the top 10 in his last two events, and he looks way overpriced to make it 3 in a row in Italy this weekend.
Italian Open BetXchange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Tommy Fleetwood – 17/1
