Sharpening the radar on his driver will be vital for Victorian Lucas Herbert as he sets out to use the Italian Open in Rome to propel himself back inside the top 110 on the Race to Dubai rankings.

Herbert is one of five Australians who will tee it up at Olgiata Golf Club this week, a three-time host of the Italian Open and returning for the first time since Ian Poulter’s victory in 2002.

For the likes of Scott Hend, Wade Ormsby, Jason Scrivener and Kiwi Ryan Fox, the Rolex Series event provides another opportunity to solidify their place inside the top 75 of the Race to Dubai rankings but there is a growing sense of urgency for Herbert.

Tied for eighth at the Omega European Masters last month, Herbert enters this week 118th on the Order of Merit and in danger of not retaining his European Tour card for the 2020 season.

Finding fairways has proved problematic this year and the tight, tree-lined parkland layout of Olgiata will place further pressure on Herbert’s long game.

Hitting less than 55 per cent of fairways so far this season, Herbert’s work with the putter has regularly been his saviour but he will leave himself few birdie opportunities if he can’t find the short grass on a more regular basis this week.

Tied for seventh at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January, Herbert went seven months without a finish better than a tie for 25th and has just three weeks to qualify for the three-event Race to Dubai finals, culminating with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Sam Brazel returns for his first event since the Porsche European Open last month while Kiwi legend Michael Campbell is also in the field.