The DP World Tour returns from a one-week break following a dramatic US Open. Robert Macintyre pushed J.J. Spaun to the brink at Oakmont, finishing solo 2nd to highlight the depth of European golf.
2024/2025 DP World Tour
Italian Open
Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, Porto Ercole, Tuscany
26th-29th June
The DP World Tour returns from a one-week break following a dramatic US Open. Robert Macintyre pushed J.J. Spaun to the brink at Oakmont, finishing solo 2nd to highlight the depth of European golf. This week, the tour will move to Tuscany for the latest installment of the Italian Open. First staged all the way back in 1925, this event has been a mainstay on the tour since its inception back in 1972. In fact, this will be the 82nd renewal of this historic tournament. It was elevated to Rolex Series status back in 2017, with Hatton, Olesen and Wiesberger claiming the prestigious Rolex crowns. That little golden period came to an unfortunate end in 2020, with the Covid outbreak changing the face of European golf. This has been a largely nomadic event and this year’s renewal will take place at another first-time host: Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort.
Designed by David Mezzacane and professional golfer Baldovino Dassu, this course opened its doors back in 2006. Argentario Golf Club in Monte Argentario is quite simply one of the most beautiful courses you will see all year. The course is situated in the picturesque Orbetello Lagoon (a protected area featuring gorgeous Mediterranean hillsides and plentiful olive groves). It is an exposed coastal layout that measures just a smidge under 6,900 yards (it’s rather short by modern standards). The course apparently has a strong linksy feel (though that remains to be seen). There will be an onus on strategic course management this week, with the course snaking through an array of stunning Mediterranean vegetation. I think it’s best to opt for guys who keep the ball in play and find plenty of greens in regulation (though it’s always hard to analyze a brand-new venue).
This week’s field is certainly lacking in star-power. The fact that Francesco Laporta is one of the co-favourites tells you everything you need to know (he is yet to claim a maiden DP World Tour title). Laporta finished in a tie for 7th in his last outing and I’m not sure if he merits top billing. Jordan Smith has been much more consistent while Ewen Ferguson is a perennial presence in leaderboards. Young Frenchman Martin Couvra could be a dangerous player this week (he won in Turkey and finished in a tie for 8th last time out in Austria). Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan has been in explosive recent form, winning the Soudal Open after overcoming a nine-shot deficit in the final round. He almost repeated the dose at the Austrian Open, shooting at 62 in the final round to finish in a tie for 2nd.
Past Winners
2024: Marcel Siem (-10) *playoff
2023: Adrian Meronk (-13)
2022: Robert Macintyre (-14)* playoff
2021: Nicolai Hojgaard (-13)
2020: Ross McGowan (-20)
2019: Bernd Wiesberger (-16)
Betting Favourites (To Win): Francesco Laporta (20/1), Jordan Smith (20/1), Ewen Ferguson (22/1), Marco Penge (22/1), Martin Couvra (25/1)
Value Bets
John Parry- To Win (35/1)
Accurate Englishman John Parry enjoyed a brilliant start to his 2024/2025 DP World Tour campaign, winning in Kenya and picking up runner-up finishes in South Africa and Mauritius (he appears to love playing in Southern Africa). But the results dried up a bit after that. But he bounced back two starts back, finishing in a tie for 4th at the Soudal Open. He currently sits 22nd on tour for GIR and could thrive in this decimated field.
Brandon Robinson Thompson- To Win (70/1)
Brandon Robinson Thompson has struggled with his driver and will probably feel liberated by the relative shortness of this test. Robinson Thompson has some positive course experience, finishing 12th in last year’s edition (the Isle of Wight man is accustomed to playing on exposed, coastal courses). Robinson Thompson has picked up four top ten’s this season, leading by three shots after 54 holes of the Turkish Airlines Open. He has missed back-to-back cuts but should find this layout more to his liking.
The Man to Beat- Ewen Ferguson- To Win (22/1)
Ewen Ferguson is a three-time tour winner who stands out in this rather weak field. The Scot- who will defend his BMW International Open title next week- arrives in Italy in excellent form. He was in the top ten after 54 holes in Turkey and was the 54-hole leader when placing 2nd in Belgium. He was 4th last time out in the Netherlands and appears to trending towards that 5th title. He statistically lines up well for this course, ranking 7th on tour for Driving Accuracy and 34th in GIR.
