Italian Open finally resumes
The delayed second round of the Italian Open eventually got underway in Milan this morning.
Heavy rain from Thursday evening onwards meant no play at all was possible on Friday and left large parts of the Castello di Tolcinasco course under water.
Tournament officials had hoped to clear the course on Friday afternoon in time for a 7.30am start today.
But further downpours meant that was impossible and left greenkeeping staff trying to get the course ready for a 10am start.
That proved impossible and play eventually began at 11am local time, and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell wasted no time in moving to within a shot of the lead.
McDowell, who won the Scandinavian Masters in 2002 in only his fourth event as a professional, birdied the par-five opening hole to improve to seven under par, one behind leaders Mark Roe and Gregory Havret.
McDowell, a member of the victorious 2001 Walker Cup side which also contained Nick Dougherty, Luke Donald, Jamie Elson and Richard McEvoy, also birdied the second to move into a share of the lead at eight under par.
But that lasted only for as long as it took Roe to also birdie the opening hole, a 526-yard par five playing the easiest on the course at an average of just 4.167.
Tournament director Mike Stewart had hoped to complete the second round on Saturday and play 36 holes on Sunday, but this morning’s delay meant he now had to consider his options.
They range from a 54 or even 36-hole tournament, reducing the cut from 70 and ties to the top 50 and ties, changing the cut mark in order to get a more manageable field or even taking the tournament into Monday.
The weather forecast for this afternoon was not encouraging however, with thunderstorms forecast between 2pm and 6pm.
It could have been worse however as this week’s Challenge Tour event in northern Spain was delayed for frost on Friday and snow this morning.
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