(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 31 - Italy's only major winner, 2018
British Open champ Francesco Molinari, is eyeing a return to
form at this week's 78th Italian Open after struggling this
season with a back problem that prevented him from featuring,
apart from a 13th place finish in the US Open at the end of
June.
Also aiming for a win against big names like English pair Tommy
Fleetwood and former world no.1 Luke Donald is Italy's other
star, Guido Migliozzi, who is still basking in the afterglow of
his fourth-place finish at Torrey Pines on June 20.
Another former world no 1, Germany's Martin Kaymer, will be
gunning for success at the 2023 Ryder Cup venue just outside
Rome, the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club at Guidonia
Montecelio.
Molinari said "two years after the last time it's nice to return
to the Italian Open. Sadly physical problems have affected my
season and I don't come here with great expectations. I hope to
rediscover my best form soon and above all the continuity that
has been lacking, especially in training."
Molinari, 38, had to skip the Olympics with the back issue he
first suffered at the PGA in May.
He said "missing the Olympics was hard. But now I look ahead and
hope, in 2024, to get to Paris (Olympics) in the best shape
possible". (ANSA).