The Italian Open (Italian: Open d'Italia) is the men's national open golf championship of Italy. It was founded in 1925 and, except for 1933 and during World War II, was played annually until 1960. After an eleven-year hiatus, it returned in 1971 when it was one of five tournaments in Continental Europe that were included on the British PGA Order of Merit circuit.[1] The following year of that circuit has since been recognised as the first official season of the European Tour, and the Italian Open is one of few tournaments that have featured on the schedule every year. The 2018 event was the 75th edition of the championship.

Italian Open
Tournament information
LocationRavenna, Italy
Established1925
Course(s)Adriatic Golf Club Cervia
Par71
Length6,989 yards (6,391 m)
Tour(s)European Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund3,250,000
Month playedJune
Tournament record score
Aggregate262 Percy Alliss (1935)
262 Francesco Molinari (2016)
262 Thorbjørn Olesen (2018)
To par−25 Hennie Otto (2008)
Current champion
Germany Marcel Siem
Location map
Adriatic GC Cervia is located in Italy
Adriatic GC Cervia
Adriatic GC Cervia
Location in Italy
Adriatic GC Cervia is located in Emilia-Romagna
Adriatic GC Cervia
Adriatic GC Cervia
Location in Emilia-Romagna

In 2017 the European Tour created the Rolex Series, a group of events with higher prize money, with the Italian Open being one of the designated events with total prize money increased to US$7 million, more than double that of the previous year.[2][3] In 2020 the tournament was not part of the Rolex Series, having been rescheduled with much lower prize money due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

History

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In 1935, British golfer Percy Alliss scored a 262 aggregate on his way to winning the event. He established the lowest 72-hole total ever in any golf tournament ever at the time. The legitimacy of the record was in doubt, according to Time, as the length of the San Remo course was only 5,200 yards, far below the international "championship standard."[5][6] Many decades later, in 2008, South African Hennie Otto was just one stroke away from Alliss' total, still the tournament record.

Venues

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Venue Location First Last Times
Golf Club Alpino di Stresa Stresa 1925 1927 3
Circolo Golf Villa d'Este Montorfano 1928 1972 12
Circolo Golf degli Ulivi, Sanremo Sanremo 1934 1948 5
Sestrieres Golf Club Sestriere 1936 1936 1
Circolo del Golf Roma, Acquasanta Rome 1950 1980 3
Golf Club Milano Monza 1951 2017 9
Circolo Golf Venezia Venice 1955 1974 3
Golf Club Varese Varese 1958 1958 1
Golf Club Garlenda Garlenda 1971 1971 1
Olgiata Golf Club Rome 1973 2019 2 (+1)
Golf Club Monticello Como 1975 1992 7
Circolo Golf Is Molas Pula, Sardinia 1976 2001 4
Pevero Golf Club Arzachena, Sardinia 1978 1978 1
Circolo Golf Ugolino Florence 1983 1983 1
Molinetto Country Club Milan 1985 1985 1
Golf Club Albarella Venice 1986 1986 1
Castelconturbia Golf Club Borgomanero 1991 1998 2
Modena Golf and Country Club Modena 1993 1993 1
Marco Simone Golf and Country Club Rome 1994 2022 4
Le Rovedine Golf Club Milan 1995 1995 1
Golf Club Bergamo "L'Albenza" Bergamo 1996 1996 1
Gardagolf Country Club Brescia 1997 2018 3
Circolo Golf Torino "La Mandria" Turin 1999 2014 3
Golf Club Castello Tolcinasco Milan 2004 2008 5
Royal Park i Roveri Turin 2009 2012 4
Chervò Golf Hotel and Spa Resort Pozzolengo 2020 2020 1
Adriatic Golf Club Cervia Ravenna 2024 2024 1

In 1973 the first two rounds were played on two different courses, Acquasanta and Olgiata, everyone playing one round on each course. After the cut, Acquasanta was then used for the final two rounds.

Winners

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European Tour (Rolex Series) 2017–2019
European Tour (Regular) 1972–2016, 2020–
Pre-European Tour 1925–1971
# Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Venue Ref.
Italian Open
81st 2024   Marcel Siem 274 −10 Playoff   Tom McKibbin Adriatic
DS Automobiles Italian Open
80th 2023   Adrian Meronk 271 −13 1 stroke   Romain Langasque Marco Simone
79th 2022   Robert MacIntyre 270 −14 Playoff   Matt Fitzpatrick Marco Simone
78th 2021   Nicolai Højgaard 271 −13 1 stroke   Tommy Fleetwood
  Adrian Meronk
Marco Simone
Italian Open
77th[a] 2020   Ross McGowan 268 −20 1 stroke   Laurie Canter
  Nicolas Colsaerts
Chervò
76th 2019   Bernd Wiesberger 268 −16 1 stroke   Matt Fitzpatrick Olgiata
75th 2018   Thorbjørn Olesen 262 −22 1 stroke   Francesco Molinari Gardagolf
74th 2017   Tyrrell Hatton 263 −21 1 stroke   Kiradech Aphibarnrat
  Ross Fisher
Milano
73rd 2016   Francesco Molinari (2) 262 −22 1 stroke   Danny Willett Milano
Open d'Italia
72nd 2015   Rikard Karlberg 269 −19 Playoff   Martin Kaymer Milano
71st 2014   Hennie Otto (2) 268 −20 2 strokes   David Howell Torino
Open d'Italia Lindt
70th 2013   Julien Quesne 276 −12 1 stroke   David Higgins
  Steve Webster
Torino
BMW Italian Open
69th 2012   Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño (2) 264 −24 2 strokes   Garth Mulroy Royal Park i Roveri
68th 2011   Robert Rock 267 −21 1 stroke   Gary Boyd
  Thorbjørn Olesen
Royal Park i Roveri
67th 2010   Fredrik Andersson Hed 268 −16 2 strokes   David Horsey Royal Park i Roveri
66th 2009   Daniel Vancsik 267 −17 6 strokes   John Daly
  Raphaël Jacquelin
  Robert Rock
Royal Park i Roveri
Methorios Capital Italian Open
65th 2008   Hennie Otto 263 −25 1 stroke   Oliver Wilson Castello Tolcinasco
Telecom Italia Open
64th 2007   Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño 200[b] −16 Playoff   Markus Brier Castello Tolcinasco
63rd 2006   Francesco Molinari 265 −23 4 strokes   Anders Hansen
  Jarmo Sandelin
Castello Tolcinasco
62nd 2005   Steve Webster 270 −18 3 strokes   Bradley Dredge
  Richard Finch
  Anders Hansen
Castello Tolcinasco
61st 2004   Graeme McDowell 197[b] −19 Playoff   Thomas Levet Castello Tolcinasco
Italian Open Telecom Italia
60th 2003   Mathias Grönberg 271 −17 2 strokes   Ricardo González
  José Manuel Lara
  Colin Montgomerie
Gardagolf
59th 2002   Ian Poulter (2) 197[b] −19 2 strokes   Paul Lawrie Olgiata
Atlanet Italian Open
58th 2001   Grégory Havret 268 −20 1 stroke   Bradley Dredge Is Molas
Italian Open
57th 2000   Ian Poulter 267 −21 1 stroke   Gordon Brand Jnr Is Molas
Fiat and Fila Italian Open
56th 1999   Dean Robertson 271 −17 1 stroke   Pádraig Harrington Torino
Italian Open
55th 1998   Patrik Sjöland 195[b] −21 3 strokes   Joakim Haeggman
  José María Olazábal
Castelconturbia
Conte of Florence Italian Open
54th 1997   Bernhard Langer (2) 273 −15 1 stroke   José María Olazábal Gardagolf
53rd 1996   Jim Payne 275 −9 1 stroke   Patrik Sjöland Bergamo
Italian Open
52nd 1995   Sam Torrance (2) 269 −19 2 strokes   José Rivero Le Rovedine
Tisettanta Italian Open
51st 1994   Eduardo Romero 272 −16 1 stroke   Greg Turner Marco Simone
Lancia Martini Italian Open
50th 1993   Greg Turner 267 −21 1 stroke   José Cóceres Modena
49th 1992   Sandy Lyle (2) 270 −18 1 stroke   Colin Montgomerie Monticello
48th 1991   Craig Parry 279 −9 1 stroke   Ian Woosnam Castelconturbia
47th 1990   Richard Boxall 267 −21 5 strokes   José María Olazábal Milano
Lancia Italian Open
46th 1989   Ronan Rafferty 273 −15 1 stroke   Sam Torrance Monticello
45th 1988   Greg Norman 270 −18 1 stroke   Craig Parry Monticello
44th 1987   Sam Torrance 271 −17 Playoff   José Rivero Monticello
Italian Open
43rd 1986   David Feherty 270 −10 Playoff   Ronan Rafferty Albarella
42nd 1985   Manuel Piñero 267 −21 1 stroke   Sam Torrance Molinetto
41st 1984   Sandy Lyle 277 −11 4 strokes   Bobby Clampett Milano
40th 1983   Bernhard Langer 271 −17 Playoff   Seve Ballesteros
  Ken Brown
Ugolino
39th 1982   Mark James 280 −8 3 strokes   Bobby Clampett
  Ian Woosnam
Is Molas
38th 1981   José María Cañizares 280 −8 Playoff   Bobby Clampett Milano
37th 1980   Massimo Mannelli 276 −8 5 strokes   John Bland
  Ken Brown
Acquasanta
36th 1979   Brian Barnes 281 −7 Playoff   Dale Hayes Monticello
35th 1978   Dale Hayes 293 +5 3 strokes   Vin Baker
  Tommy Horton
Pevero
34th 1977   Ángel Gallardo 286 −2 Playoff   Brian Barnes Monticello
33rd 1976   Baldovino Dassù 280 −8 8 strokes   Carl Mason
  Manuel Piñero
Is Molas
32nd 1975   Billy Casper 286 −2 1 stroke   Brian Barnes Monticello
31st 1974   Peter Oosterhuis 249[c] −2 2 strokes   Dale Hayes
  Johnny Miller
Venezia
30th 1973   Tony Jacklin 284 −4 1 stroke   Valentín Barrios Acquasanta
Olgiata
[7]
29th 1972   Norman Wood 271 −1 2 strokes   Brian Huggett Villa d'Este
28th 1971   Ramón Sota 282 −2 4 strokes   Brian Barnes Garlenda [8]
1961–1970: No tournament
27th 1960   Brian Wilkes 285 2 strokes   Jean Garaïalde Venezia
26th 1959   Peter Thomson 269 1 stroke   Alfonso Angelini Villa d'Este
25th 1958   Peter Alliss 282 10 strokes   Alfonso Angelini Varese
24th 1957   Harold Henning 273 3 strokes   Roger Cotton Villa d'Este
23rd 1956   Antonio Cerdá 284 Playoff   Flory Van Donck Milano
22nd 1955   Flory Van Donck (4) 287 1 stroke   Henri de Lamaze (a) Venezia
21st 1954   Ugo Grappasonni (2) 272 Playoff[d]   John Jacobs Villa d'Este
20th 1953   Flory Van Donck (3) 269 6 strokes   Max Faulkner
  Dai Rees
Villa d'Este
19th 1952   Eric Brown 273 6 strokes   Alfonso Angelini Milano
18th 1951   Jimmy Adams 283 1 stroke   Eric Brown Milano
17th 1950   Ugo Grappasonni 281 Playoff   Alfonso Angelini Acquasanta
16th 1949   Hassan Hassanein 271   Aldo Casera Villa d'Este
15th 1948   Aldo Casera 267   Ugo Grappasonni
  Pietro Manca
Golf Sanremo
14th 1947   Flory Van Donck (2) 263   Aldo Casera Golf Sanremo
1939–1946: No tournament due to World War II
13th 1938   Flory Van Donck 276   Pulvio Travaini Villa d'Este
12th 1937   Marcel Dallemagne 276 Playoff   Auguste Boyer Golf Sanremo
11th 1936   Henry Cotton 268 6 strokes   Joe Ezar Sestrieres
10th 1935   Percy Alliss (2) 262 5 strokes   Auguste Boyer
  Arthur Havers
Golf Sanremo
9th 1934   Norman Nutley 132   Gonzales Golf Sanremo
1933: No tournament
8th 1932   Aubrey Boomer 143   Auguste Boyer Villa d'Este
7th 1931   Auguste Boyer (4) 141   René Golias Villa d'Este
6th 1930   Auguste Boyer (3) 140   Marcel Dallemagne Villa d'Este
5th 1929   René Golias 143   Auguste Boyer Villa d'Este
4th 1928   Auguste Boyer (2) 145 1 stroke   Jean Baptiste Loth Villa d'Este
3rd 1927   Percy Alliss 145 Playoff   Marcel Dallemagne Alpino di Stresa
2nd 1926   Auguste Boyer 147   Alec Ross Alpino di Stresa
1st 1925   Francesco Pasquali 154 1 stroke   William Jolly Alpino di Stresa

Source:[9]

Multiple winners

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The 2020 tournament was originally scheduled as a Rolex Series event but was downgraded as a result of rescheduling with a reduced prize fund due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ a b c d Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
  3. ^ Shortened to 63 holes due to weather.
  4. ^ Grappasonni beat Jacobs 137 to 138 in a 36-hole playoff.

References

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  1. ^ "Extra £32,000 at stake for Britons". The Times. 7 December 1971. p. 10. Retrieved 24 February 2020 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  2. ^ "European Tour announces Rolex Series, overhaul of top events". ESPN. Associated Press. 15 November 2016.
  3. ^ "European Tour launches the Rolex Series". PGA European Tour. 15 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Two Rolex Series events cancelled; three new events on European Tour". Sky Sports. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  5. ^ "The Baltimore Sun 27 May 1940, page 13". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  6. ^ "Low, Long & Little". Time. 26 July 1937. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  7. ^ "Tony Jacklin wins Italian Open". The Glasgow Herald. 23 April 1973. p. 4.
  8. ^ "Spaniard holds off British challenge in Italian Open". The Glasgow Herald. 29 March 1971. p. 10.
  9. ^ "Roll of Honor". Italian Open.
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45°24′32″N 10°35′42″E / 45.409°N 10.595°E / 45.409; 10.595