BMW Italian Open

May 8th, 2009

This week’s leg of the inaugural Race to Dubai sees the European Tour visit a new venue for the 66th playing of the BMW Italian Open. The Royal Park Golf Club near Torino is the chosen venue for the event, a course which sits in the shadows of the magnificent Italian Alps. This par 71, Robert Trent Jones Snr-designed layout is certainly picturesque, offering wonderful views of The Alps. But it is the on-course features that must remain the focus of any player looking to challenge for the title this week. It’s certainly easy to be distracted by the serene Alpine location but with tree-lined fairways, penal rough, small greens and numerous water hazards, the course will punish any player not totally focused on their shot. The players will certainly be tested by this challenging 7222 yard layout and the eventual winner will need every part of their game to be in full working order.

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As usual, this week’s field features a number of Titleist ambassadors but the most notable of these is surely Englishman Robert Dinwiddie. The Italian Open is Robert’s first event in mainland Europe this year following an eight-week injury layoff. Robert tore an Intercostal muscle playing the final round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia earlier this year and hasn’t been seen on the European Tour since. It’s great to see Robert in competitive action again and we are pleased to send him out there with some new equipment. Dinwiddie spent some time during practice testing the new 2009 Pro V1x and has immediately switched to the new ball for the event. Also going in the bag this week is a new driver, a 909D3, which was also selected after some successful testing earlier in the week (see below for full specifications). Both Robert and his equipment seem to be working well as, at the time writing, he lies tied for 20th at three under par following rounds of 72 and 67. Making the cut on his first week back after injury is a great performance and worthy of congratulations but the ease at which he did it is particularly impressive. We’ll all be cheering him on over the weekend!!!

Robert Dinwiddie

> Model: 909D3 RH
> Loft: 8.5°
> Shaft: Fujikura Rombax 7Z08 X-Flex
> Length: 45”
> Grip: Lamkin Crossline Full Cord (Reversed / +1/32”)
> Swingweight: D3

In last week’s Tour Blog we reported that Brett Rumford had ordered a new Scotty Cameron Kombi putter following a trip to Titleist’s European Headquarters. This week Brett is back in action and the Kombi has gone straight in play for the event following a hugely successful practice session at The Wisley Golf Club, Surrey, UK. Brett described his new flatstick as “perfect” when he caught up with the team earlier in the week and, with 57 putts for the opening two rounds, we certainly wouldn’t argue. Brett is the first player to put the Kombi putter in play on the European Tour but he could soon be followed by fellow Australian and Titleist Ambassador Peter O’Malley. Peter is considering a switch to a belly putter but was keen to test out both the standard 35” version and the mid-length version of the Kombi. He’ll pick up the standard version at the Irish Open next week but he’s already taken away the Kombi Mid for testing. Specifications are as follows:

Peter O’Malley

> Model: Scotty Cameron Kombi Mid
> Length: 40”
> Lie: 71°
> Length: 4°
> Grip: Winn One Piece Round (Std)
> Weights: 15g (Heel & Toe)

The final piece of equipment news from this week’s event comes from Finland’s Mikko Ilonen. Following a somewhat competitive practice match against his coach, Mikko required a new Vokey Wedge. As with most European Tour professionals Mikko isn’t one to admit defeat even during a casual game and, having found a tricky lie near a rock, decided that the shot was worth taking on despite the obvious risk to his beloved wedge. In a collision that would surely have made master craftsman Bob Vokey shudder to his very core, the rock, I’m sorry to say, won the battle and Mikko’s wedge is no longer with us. That said, this sacrifice did at least enable Mikko to extricate himself from trouble and he ultimately went on to win his match. His new Vokey wedge is on the way and he now has the bragging rights over his coach.

Mikko Ilonen

> Model: Tour Chrome Spin Milled Vokey
> Loft / Bounce: 60° / 4°
> Shaft: Dynamic Gold S200
> Length: 35”
> Lie: 64°
> Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Round .580 Round (+1/64”)
> Swingweight: D5
> Stamping: FF (Flying Finn)

The European Tour heads to Ireland next week for the 3 Irish Open which returns to County Louth Golf Club in Baltry, Drogheda. The venue holds happy memories for Brett Rumford who claimed the Irish Open title there five years ago and, with new Kombi putter in hand, he will be looking for a repeat performance next week. A number of other Titleist Ambassadors will also be in the field including Ross Fisher, Robert Dinwiddie and Carlos Del Moral to name but a few. However, the big story going into the event is surely the return of Rory McIlroy to European Tour action. Titleist Ambassador, McIlroy, has been stateside for a number of weeks and is fast becoming one of the biggest crowd pullers in the game. The young Northern Irishman is sure to receive a hugely warm welcome from the galleries in Ireland and will start the event among the favourites to lift the title. The trip to Ireland is always a great week and the team are already busy preparing the Titleist Tour Support Vehicle for the event. There should be plenty happening both on and off the course and, as usual, the Tour Blog will keep you right up to date.

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