Franco Chimenti, the president of the
Italian Golf Federation, on Tuesday voiced his pride that the
2020 Italian Open is set to take place at the Chervò Golf Club
near Brescia from October 22 to 25 despite all the difficulties
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When it was thought that the 2020 Italian Open would not take
place, there was the response of the Italian Golf Federation,
which worked hard to make sure the competition could be held,"
Chimenti told a news conference.
"We are proud that we managed to do it and this is a great
success ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup (in Italy).
"The Italian Open will be of a high profile in technical terms".
Among the stars set to be challenging for the 77th Italian Open,
a European Tour event, are two former world number ones,
Germany's Martin Kaymer and Englishman Lee Westwood.
After winning the British Masters and coming seventh at the BMW
PGA Championship, which is widely considered a sort of fifth
major, Renato Paratore is leading the host nation's hopes of a
home-grown winner.
Three-time Ryder Cup-winner Francesco Molinari, who became the
first Italian to win a major when he triumphed at the Open
Championship in 2018, will not be taking part.
The 37-year-old, who recently moved to the United States and
last week ended a seven-month break at the Shriners Hospitals
for Children Open, will seek to get back to his best on the PGA
Tour.
The Chervò Golf Club at San Vigilio di Pozzolengo is hosting the
Italian Open for the first time.
The event will take place behind closed doors because of the
coronavirus pandemic.
Chimenti said he was hopeful Italy would be able to hold two
international events on the European Tour in 2021 as the nation
gets ready for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Photo: Renato Paratore.
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