Paul Casey will make his first appearance at the Italian Open – the fifth Rolex Series event of the 2019 Race to Dubai – in Rome from October 10-13.
The 13-time European Tour winner will play on Italian soil for the first time in his professional career as he prepares to tee it up alongside a world class field at Olgiata Golf Course in search of a maiden Rolex Series victory.
The World no.19 joins his Ryder Cup teammates Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose in the field, with tickets to see the stars in action on sale here.
“I’m really excited to play in Italy for the first time in my career,” said Casey. “Especially with it being a Rolex Series event, the field looks like it is going to be really strong. I’ve heard the course is excellent, and I have no doubt it will be an amazing week for everyone in the beautiful city of Rome.”
He added: “The Italian Open has a wonderful sense of tradition and history in European golf. It’s great for Italian sports fans that they have the 2022 Ryder Cup coming to Rome, and to have the opportunity to play in a new country is a challenge I’m looking forward too.”
The four-time Ryder Cup player successfully defended his title earlier this year at the Valspar Championship in the United States and has six top-ten finishes to his name this season.
“There are a lot of Ryder Cup qualification and Race to Dubai points on offer that week, which is an added incentive for everyone playing, so there is certainly a lot at stake in Italy,” Casey added.
Located 15 miles north of Rome, Olgiata Golf Club is a classic tree-lined parkland course designed by English architect C. Kenneth Cotton and restyled by architect Jim Fazio in 1996.