Wednesday 30 May 2018 06:15, UK
Tyrrell Hatton is hoping his recent injury problems are behind him before his Italian Open title defence this week at Gardagolf Country Club.
The Englishman arrives in Italy looking to replicate his one-shot victory over Ross Fisher and Kiradech Aphibarnrat at Golf Club Milano a year ago, his second win in as many starts on the European Tour.
Hatton has battled a wrist injury in recent weeks and has missed the cut in his past two starts at the Players Championship and the BMW PGA Championship, but now feels ready to bounce back.
"Wentworth was a tough week," Hatton said. "It wasn't ideal preparation prior to that where I'd had a bit of an issue with my wrist again.
"I needed a cortisone injection so it didn't really give me any time to practise the week prior to Wentworth. I was going in there a little bit rusty, just hoping that I could still play well and it didn't really work out.
"I've had the weekend to carry on practising and trying to feel comfortable again. it's gradually getting there, I'm pain-free which is a good thing so now I can play pain free I can try and get comfortable again and hopefully I can play some good golf."
Hatton plays alongside Rafa Cabrera Bello and Matteo Manassero for the first two rounds of the second Rolex Series event, with the 26-year-old keen to build on his 2017 victory.
"Good memories being back here," Hatton added. "Looking forward to it (the week) and hopefully I can put up a good defence.
"I caught a hot streak and it was certainly a good time to do it with the Ryder Cup points starting off so it was a nice start. It would nice to recapture some of that form again."
Watch the Italian Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage begins on Wednesday with the On the Range show from 2pm.
