Queensland’s Scott Hend is nothing if not resilient and after two close calls in the past fortnight will be motivated to claim his first win on European soil at the prestigious Italian Open this week.

While unable to capitalise on holding the 54-hole lead each of the last two weeks, Hend is playing some of the best golf of his life in 2016 and has openly stated his goal is to win multiple times in Europe.

With both his career European Tour titles coming in co-sanctioned events in Asia, posting a victory on the continent is now a priority for the 43-year-old and opportunity knocks again for the long hitter in Milan.

Hend’s best finish in the Italian Open has been T23 but this year’s venue is a new one on the schedule, the course an unknown quantity for most in the field.

Hend is one of seven Australians playing at the Milan golf Club for one of the richest purses on the regular European schedule.

Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Richard Green, Andrew Dodt, Brett Rumford and Jason Scrivener are all teeing up alongside Hend.

Fraser was the only Australian aside from Hend to advance to the weekend at last week’s KLM Open though will be looking for improved play this week after a T66 finish.

The West Australian duo of Jason Scrivener and Brett Rumfod are both in need of some better play this week after a lean stretch has seen both fall outside the top 110 on the Race to Dubai. Scrivener is at 111th and Rumford 119th.

Things are a little more serious for veteran Richard Green who has fallen to 133rd on the list though some good form in recent weeks will give him hope.

Nathan Holman will also be looking to turn around some recent poor form though with another fully exempt season guaranteed as a result of winning last year’s Australian PGA Championship the pressure he faces is of a different kind.