Rocco Forte Open: Top Five Power Rankings
![Jun 16, 2016; Oakmont, PA, USA; Matteo Manassero hits his tee shot on the 4th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Jun 16, 2016; Oakmont, PA, USA; Matteo Manassero hits his tee shot on the 4th hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0b304205b57a80db568c5dfae4fa5a83ffa679281a37ede34f41e97850d4cae0.jpg)
The European Tour continues on its western European swing with the inaugural Rocco Forte Open
The Rocco Forte Open continues a fun stretch of classic European Tour events that string from May through August . Next week’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, kicks off a swing through Scandanivia and back to western Europe to the U.K. and Germany.
But, first, a new tournament is born this week and we’re taking a look at the top of the field.
The Rocco Forte Open debuts at Verdura Golf Club in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy.
According to the European Tour, the course is a composite of holes from the resort’s two 18-hole tracks that uses as many sea front holes as possible for tournament play. As a fan watching the event on TV or in the flesh, it’s hard to argue with getting more looks at the Sicilian Coast.
Further, the Kyle Phillips design is a relatively exposed, lightly tree-lined course that will play at 7,217 yards.
It seems that this course won’t be a world beater, which will be friendly to a field devoid of much star power.
Perhaps a long driver will benefit from the wide open layout, but without any knowledge to build off of past Tour stops at Verdura, my five fantasy picks are largely based off recent form.
Let’s get on with it. My picks for the Rocco Forte Open: