Lee Westwood will be looking to extend his lead at the top of the Volvo Order of Merit this week with only three official tournaments left on the 2000 European Tour International Schedule.
Westwood heads the strong field gathered at Circolo Golf Is Molas for the 57th edition of the Italian Open, first played in 1925.
Thomas Björn, currently fourth in the Volvo Order of Merit, is also in the field and will be hoping to close the gap on Westwood. Also in the starting line up are Costantino Rocca, representing the club as the touring professional, former Masters champion Ian Woosnam and Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, winner of this title in 1987.
Other past champions in the field include Baldovino Dassu, who became the first native-born winner of the Italian Open since 1950 when he won the first European Tour event to be held at Is Molas in 1976, Richard Boxall, Massimo Mannelli, Jim Payne, Manuel Pinero and Ronan Rafferty.
Dean Robertson will be defending the title following his maiden European Tour victory last year at Cicologolf, Torino. Robertson fired a final round of 68 to finish one stroke ahead of Padraig Harrington with Russell Claydon, Gary Evans and Phillip Price a further shot adrift.
Sardinia has contributed greatly to the growth of professional golf and the European Tour. Is Molas, designed by Piero Luigi Mancinelli along with the Cotton, Pennick, Laurie and Partners Company in 1975, last hosted the Italian Open in 1982 when Mark James won by three shots from Ian Woosnam and American Bobby Clampett but The European Tour again visited the course for the Volvo Open in 1989 when Fiji's Vijay Singh triumphed.
Is Molas was a regular port of call for the Challenge Tour for many years and also hosted the European Seniors Tour in 1998 with former Ryder Cup player Malcolm Gregson emerging victorious.
The race to win the Volvo Order of Merit continues to Spain for the next fortnight, but for the majority this week represents the final playing opportunity in what has been an outstanding season.
