8th Oct 2019 | Italian Open
Italian Open Tip: Andrew Johnston
The West Course at Olgiata GC shares similarities with the West at Wentworth, where strategy and ball-control is rated above brute force. Johnston's T9 from the BMW PGA could transfer to Italy.
The Italian Open, part of the Rolex Series has attracted a strong field to Rome but there’s still potential for a healthy win in the shape of Andrew Johnston.
The Englishman is starting to find his best form again and this event will play to his strengths. The Italian Open returns to Olgiata GC for the first time since 2002 and this classical, tree-lined layout is reminiscent of Wentworth. It is also a happy coincidence that this week they are playing on the West Course!
That brings me back to Johnston. He finished T9 at the BMW PGA, one of the strongest events on the European Tour calendar and although he missed the cut at the Dunhill Links i’m inclined to overlook form at a Pro-Am in favour of something more substantial.
The Englishman is ranked 23rd on tour for scoring average and in the top-20 for GIRs and strokes gained tee-to-green. This is a course where you need control over your golf ball, more so than power and at 80.1 he rates a lively outsider.
Betfair are paying 8 places at 1/5 odds.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 18:19 8th Oct, 2019 but subject to change