This article is part of our DraftKings Euro Tour series.
Italian Open
Location: Parco Reale di Monza, Italy
Course: Golf Club Milano
Yardage: 7,156
Par: 71
Tournament Preview
This week, the European Tour returns to Golf Club Milano for the Italian Open. The Italian Open has a long tradition and has been played every year since the start of the European Tour. A loaded field will be headed to Italy for the Rolex Series event, which includes the largest prize purse in the history of this tournament. This is the third year in a row the tournament is being contested at GC Milano, and the relatively short parkland course consists of tree lines, narrow fairways and small greens. This week, we will be targeting accuracy off the tee and of course, greens in regulation. Recent form and course history from the two previous years will also be considered.
Key Stats to Winning at Golf Club Milano
Driving Accuracy
Greens in Regulation
Past Champions
2016 - Francesco Molinari
2015 - Rikard Karlberg
2014 - Hennie Otto
2013 - Julien Quesne
2012 - Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
Draftkings Picks
Tommy Fleetwood $9,400 (20/1)
Fleetwood finished T25 last week at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and is currently first in the Race to Dubai. He's ranked first in greens in regulation and sixth in driving accurac, and has enjoyed some success at GC Milano, finishing T7 last year and T33 in 2015. He appears to be a great pick to start your lineup without breaking the bank.
Martin Kaymer $8,500 (40/1)
Martin has been trending in the right direction the last couple of events after a midseason dip in form. Golf Club Milano could be exactly what the doctor ordered to get Kaymer back to the top of the leaderboard. He has played exceptionally well here the last two years, finishing T20 last year and second in 2015. He is also ranked 18th on tour in driving accuracy for the season.
David Lingmerth $7,900 (40/1)
There seems to be great value here at only $7,900. Yes, Lingmerth has not been here the two previous years, but this should be a course that fits his skillset. He enters this week hot off a T4 at British Masters and was T20 prior to that at Portugal Masters. Lingmerth is ranked 10th in driving accuracy, and although his GIR leaves a little to be desired, he is scoring with his putter. He is ranked fourth in putts per round.
Chris Hanson $6,900 (125/1)
At the bottom-tier pricing, I believe Hanson is worth a serious look. He missed the cut last week at Alfred Dunhill Links, but that unique format may not be for everybody. Prior to that, the Englishman put together four solid tournaments in a row, with his best finish coming at British Masters (T11). Hanson was T20 at GC Milano last year. He is ranked 19th in GIR and 26th in driving accuracy on Tour. Chris is a long shot, but at this price, he could pay dividends.