Outright plays (1.5 units):
Ricardo Gonzalez to win 20/1 e.w. available generally
Impressive performance last week by Gonzalez to finish in the top-20 after an eleven-week layoff and he improved considerably by the weekend. He is a winner on Tour and that was also on a course in the Alps (Crans-sur-Sierre, 2001), so there is every reason to expect a further improvement this week, particularly against such a weak field.
Charl Schwartzel to win 33/1 e.w. @ Easybets
Very surprising price as the next best is currently 22/1! After a rocky time traveling on the European Tour, he has certainly found his feet in the past month. He finished 5th on the Challenge Tour three weeks ago before finishing 16th in Portugal (he had been 6th entering the final round) and the finishing 6th last week. With few of the current field having played in the 1997 Italian Open on this course, the rookie should not be at a disadvantage this week and may even finish strongly this time.
Peter Fowler to win 40/1 e.w. @ Easybets and Centrebet
Was very sorely tempted by the 100/1 on offer for Lafeber (Eurobet), but have opted for the more consistent (this year, at least) Fowler. He has carried over his resurgent form on the Australasian Tour to Europe with top-10 finishes in his last two events and has shot an over-par round only once in his last four events. His history in Italy is rather erratic - three top-10s and five missed cuts in his last ten visits to this country - but it does make him ideal for outrights and he is certainly playing well enough to win in this company.
Ricardo Gonzalez to win 20/1 e.w. available generally
Impressive performance last week by Gonzalez to finish in the top-20 after an eleven-week layoff and he improved considerably by the weekend. He is a winner on Tour and that was also on a course in the Alps (Crans-sur-Sierre, 2001), so there is every reason to expect a further improvement this week, particularly against such a weak field.
Charl Schwartzel to win 33/1 e.w. @ Easybets
Very surprising price as the next best is currently 22/1! After a rocky time traveling on the European Tour, he has certainly found his feet in the past month. He finished 5th on the Challenge Tour three weeks ago before finishing 16th in Portugal (he had been 6th entering the final round) and the finishing 6th last week. With few of the current field having played in the 1997 Italian Open on this course, the rookie should not be at a disadvantage this week and may even finish strongly this time.
Peter Fowler to win 40/1 e.w. @ Easybets and Centrebet
Was very sorely tempted by the 100/1 on offer for Lafeber (Eurobet), but have opted for the more consistent (this year, at least) Fowler. He has carried over his resurgent form on the Australasian Tour to Europe with top-10 finishes in his last two events and has shot an over-par round only once in his last four events. His history in Italy is rather erratic - three top-10s and five missed cuts in his last ten visits to this country - but it does make him ideal for outrights and he is certainly playing well enough to win in this company.
