Part of the rotation since the European Tour was first recognized in 1972, the Italian Open returns to Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome for the first time since 1994 to host the country’s national open. The tournament lost some of its luster when it was pulled from the Rolex Series a few years ago and we’ve seen a drop in the talent level as a result. Still, we have a fairly strong field headlined by betting favorite Matthew Fitzpatrick, two-time major champion Martin Kaymer and eight-time ET winner Bernd Wiesberger. Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, Guido Migliozzi and Renato Paratore make up a strong contingent of Italians aiming to capture their country’s national open. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds and to place your wager.
Odds to Win Italian Open
Matthew Fitzpatrick +1400
Tommy Fleetwood +1600
Bernd Wiesberger +1800
Calum Hill +2800
Guido Migliozzi +2800
Rasmus Hojgaard +2800
Thomas Detry +2800
Henrik Stenson +3000
Ryan Fox +3000
Dean Burmester +3300
Garrick Higgo +3300
Jordan Smith +3300
Matt Wallace +3300
Martin Kaymer +3500
Sean Crocker +3500
Antoine Rozner +4000
Francesco Molinari +4000
Justin Harding +4000
Andy Sullivan +4500
Marcus Armitage +4500
Richard Bland +4500
Sam Horsfield +4500
Thomas Pieters +5000
John Catlin +5500
Joost Luiten +5500
Victor Perez +5500
Andrew Johnston +6000
Jamie Donaldson +6000
Johannes Veerman +6000
Masahiro Kawamura +6000
Matthew Jordan +6000
Richie Ramsay +6000
Wil Besseling +6000
Mikko Korhonen +7000
Min Woo Lee +7000
Alexander Bjork +7500
Callum Shinkwin +7500
Kalle Samooja +7500
Adrian Otaegui +8000
Darren Fichardt +8000
Marcel Siem +8000
Victor Dubuisson +8000
Odds Analysis
Francesco Molinari +4000
Since 1981 only one Italian has won this tournament and Molinari has done it twice. He claimed a 1-shot victory in 2016 exactly 10 years after his 4-swing title when he finished 23-under. He has struggled since an encouraging start to the year, but things appear to be headed in the right direction. A second-round 64 in the Swiss Open was a sign that things are turning around. And he’s been a star in this event with five other top-10s along with his two victories. He just seems to play at a higher level when in Italy and the price is right for a big win.
Martin Kaymer +3500
I’m either going to win with Kaymer or go broke trying. He’s had several chances to end what is now a seven-year title drought and he was in the hunt last week after six weeks off. He failed to score on the easier holes eventually moving him to T18, but there were positives to take away. His approach game has been strong and his putting is improved. Now if he puts everything together, the former world No. 1 and two-time major winner is eyeing a return to the winner’s circle.
Thomas Pieters +5000
The host course appears to be one Pieters can manipulate to his liking. He has the distance to go low on the par 5s and the shorter par 4s allow him to take a chance at reaching the green. Now, if the putter cooperates he has a good chance to make up strokes and contend for the title. The talent is certainly there with five professional wins and Pieters has strong results on correlated courses. With Pieters able to let it go I expect a better showing than the MC in Switzerland. And at his price there’s plenty of value.
Garrick Higgo +3300
It looks like reality has set in for Higgo and a return to the Euro circuit is what’s needed to get his game on track. He won three times in three months, including a victory at the Palmetto Championship in his second PGA Tour start. He was unable to build off that with three MCs and three finishes outside the top 40 since. He was bounced from the FedExCup playoffs with a T64 in The Northern Trust. This should be a field more to his liking and the course will allow him to show off his driving skills. And he certainly knows how to win so backing him isn’t a big risk.
Joost Luiten +5500
While he hasn’t played this course, Luiten does have a strong history at this tournament with three top-10s. And he showed what he’s capable of a few weeks back with a T12 in the Czech Masters. He had a strong run earlier in the year with five top-15s in five completed starts and this is a course that plays to his strengths. Backing Luiten at this price is an easy choice.
Course: Marco Simone Golf Club – 7,268 yards, par 71
First played in 1925 and part of the European Tour rotation since its inception in 1972, the Italian Open has played a number of courses over the years. The tournament returns to Marco Simone GC for the first time since 1994 when Eduardo Romero posted a 1-shot victory. A lot has changed in the nearly two decades with additional length stretching the course to 7,268 yards. And at par 71 it figures to be a test, but nothing the pros shouldn’t be able to handle. It could also be a preview of the 2023 Ryder Cup for a few players with Marco Simone hosting the biennial team event.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu.
