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DS Automobiles 79th Italian Open: summit duel between McIlroy and Fitzpatrick
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On the course of the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio (Rome), the Northern Irishman overtook the Englishman with a birdie on the last hole. Good comeback by Francesco Molinari and excellent performance by the amateur Flavio Michetti
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, world number two, overtook English Matt Fitzpatrick, number eleven, taking the stage in the second round of the DS Automobiles 79th Italian Open, but the ranking is provisional, as the round did not end for the supervening obscurity, even if there will be no substantial changes. Among the protagonists the amateur Flavio Michetti and Francesco Molinari, author of a good comeback, and flanked in the ranking by Filippo Celli and Guido Migliozzi.
On the course of the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (par 71) in Guidonia Montecelio (Rome),
McIlroy leads with 133 (67 66, -9) shots, one ahead of Fitzpatrick (134, -8), two over the other Englishman Tom Lewis (135, -7) and three over Frenchman Victor Perez (136, -6) .
In fifth place with 137 (-5) the Spaniard Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, the Dutch Joost Luiten, the Australian Lucas Herbert and the British Tyrrell Hatton (his 2017 Italian Open), Jordan Smith and Luke Donald, captain of Team Europe at the Ryder Cup 2023. while the two vice captains Edoardo Molinari and the Dane Thomas Bjorn occupy the 46th position with 142 (par). A few mistakes too many for the Norwegian Viktor Hovland, number ten in the World ranking, the same score as Michetti.
Excellent performance by the amateur Flavio Michetti, 18 year old from Ascoli Piceno, registered for the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, 21st with 139 (70 69, -3) and author of a partial 69 (-2, four birdies, two bogeys) , while Francesco Molinari moved up from 85th to 33rd position with 141 (73 68, -1) after a 68 (-3, six birdies and three bogeys, the last one at hole 18). He is flanked by Filippo Celli (69 72), who is holding up very well at his debut among the pros, and by Guido Migliozzi (70 71). The fate of Stefano Mazzoli and the amateur Marco Florioli, team world champion with the Azzurri together with Celli (and Pietro Bovari), 62.i with 143 (+ 1). Andrea Saracino (stopped at the 16th hole) Andrea Romano (16th) and Giovanni Manzoni (15th), who have one more stroke (+2), also have the possibility to recover and overcome the cut.
Five birdies in a row, after starting with a bogey, made Fitzpatrick fly, but he immediately gave his opponents breath back with two eight-hole bogeys played on a swing. The first par came at hole 18 (he started from 10) when he was on “minus 8”, then stayed until the end after two more birdies and two bogeys (69, -2). When he arrived at the clubhouse McIlroy left, who by then was four shots late. After ten holes in par (two birdies, two bogeys) the Northern Irishman definitely attacked and overtaking with an eagle and four birdies (the decisive one on the last hole) against a bogey (66, -5).
Great turnout of the public – After the over 2,000 spectators who attended the first round of the DS Automobiles 79th Italian Open, in the second round 3,000 people attended the event, bringing the total to 5,000.
The interviews
Rory McIlroy: “In the second lap I closed the second nine holes in crescendo, taking advantage of the birdie opportunities and putting myself in a position to look at the weekend with confidence. Fitzpatrick preceded by a single shot, protagonist of an incredible season embellished by the success in the Major that places him fully among the best players in the world. I can’t wait to challenge him in the last two rounds ”.
Matt Fitzpatrick: “I made five birdies in a row, something incredible. Yet I didn’t play regularly, alternating feats with mistakes. It was great to play the first two rounds with Edoardo Molinari and Viktor Hovland. The course is fantastic and for the Ryder Cup 2023 the atmosphere will be even more special. I love Italy, it is one of my favorite countries in the world, I love the history and culture of this city. ‘My favorite plate?’. The pasta. And then I’m a big football fan, in December 2021 I went to the Olympic stadium to watch a Roma match ”.
Flavio Michetti: “I entered the field very concentrated, I finished the first round in the best possible way and started the second with conviction. The tee shot on this course is essential, it is also necessary to ‘putt’ at best. I received an invitation to play an hour before registrations closed, being here at the Italian Open, on a field where I consider myself at home, is exciting. Now I intend to conclude the tournament in the best possible way then, from 20 to 23 September, I will be at the Bogogno Golf Resort for the first stage of the Qualifying Schools of the DP World Tour “.
“Hole in one” di Julien Quesne – Frenchman Julien Quesne, winner of the Italian Open in 2013, scored a “hole in one” on hole 4, a par 3 of 187 yards, using a 7 iron. At the ace he combined four birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey for 71 (par) and 62nd place with 143 (+1)
Only a great satisfaction for the prowess, because the DS 4 E-TENSE car will be awarded to the first player who hits hole 7 directly from the tee (par 3, 219 yards, 200 meters).
Race formula and prize money – The tournament is held over a distance of 72 holes (18 per day). The prize pool is 3,000,000 euros, with the first coin of 510,000 euros.
The tournament live on Sky Sport – The DS Automobiles 79th Italian Open is broadcast live on Sky Sport Action and streamed on NOW for all four competition days, starting at 1.30pm. Commentaries and comments are entrusted to Alessandro Lupi, Roberto Zappa, Marco Cogliati and Massimo Scarpa, who also supports Francesca Piantanida in the appointments with the “Studio Golf”.
The fourth lap on Rai Sport – The final round will be televised on Sunday 18 September also by Rai Sport on a deferred basis from 9.30 pm.
Special guest, the Ryder Cup trophy – The Ryder Cup trophy, increasingly a popular icon, is on display in a tent dedicated to the Italian Open Commercial Village and will be available for photos and selfies until Sunday 18 September.
The Family Open organized by the Regional Committee of CONI Lazio – A party of sport and fun. From 9:00 to 19:00, with the support of qualified educators from CONI Lazio and federal technicians, children can carry out dynamic and engaging disciplines and recreational activities such as, among others: basketball, fencing, sailing (simulator with boat), tennis, boxing, shooting, archery. All in collaboration with the Lazio Region. For an engaging and exciting Open, even for the little ones who, thanks to the US KIDS equipment and the proposed preparatory activities, aims to bring more and more children closer to the world of golf.
Free golf trials with PGAI instructors – At the entrance to the Commercial Village, the PGAI instructors are available to let all those who want to experience the thrill of the first swing try golf.
The 5th Junior Road to the 2023 Ryder Cup – Team spirit, team play, respect for the rules and for the opponents. In a competition that aims to let the new generation breathe the unique atmosphere of the Ryder Cup. On Sunday 18 September at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club the “The 5th Junior Road to the 2023 Ryder Cup” will be staged, by now a traditional challenge between 12 best under 14s of Team Lazio and 12 best under 14s of Team Italy, led respectively by Gianluca Baldasso and Gianmarco Libardi.
I Partner – DS Automobiles 79th Italian Open, with the patronage of the Lazio Region, the Municipality of Rome, the Municipality of Guidonia Montecelio and CONI, has the support of: DS Automobiles (Title Sponsor), Rolex (Main Sponsor and Title Sponsor della Pro Am), Lazio Region (Main Institutional Partner), Fideuram (Official Bank), DP World (Official Sponsor), Fortinet (Official Sponsor), Emirates (Official Sponsor), Kappa (Technical Sponsor), Acqua San Bernardo (Official Supplier ), Rinascente (Official Supplier), Bisol 1542 (Official Sparkling Wine), Posteassicura (Official Supplier), Costa Crociere (Official Supplier), Hilton (Official Supplier), Faema (Official Supplier), Sharp (Technical Supplier), Deloitte (Official Supplier), Titleist (Technical Supplier), RDS (Official Radio), Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Il Giornale (Media Partner). Infront (Official Advisor).
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