Francesco Molinari is having the year of his golfing life. While all others around him faltered the Italian star posted 16 pars and 2 birdies including one at the 18th for a 69 -8 total...2 ahead of Rory McIlroy (70), Justin Rose (69), Kevin Kisner (74) and Xander Schauffele (74)
Molinari is the first Italian to win a major and he has an incredible 3 wins and 2 seconds in his last 6 outings.
Tiger rolled back the clock for 10 holes before a double at 11 and a bogey at 12 set him back. He finished with a solid 71, T6 -5.
Carnoustie bared her teeth with a gusty wind that completely changed the low scoring onslaught that was Saturday and made for a breathtaking Sunday afternoon that had us all guessing right until the end.
Earlier Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy both electrified the crowd with eagles at the 14th and went on to set the clubhouse lead at -6 a total which eventually proved to be enough to T2, along with Kisner who had dropped three shots in the first three holes and Schauffele who crucially made bogey at 17
Molinari who had birdied the 14th to get to -7, struck a perfect drive at the last, pitched to within five feet, and holed it for his winning 69 -8.
He spoke to the world as the champion golfer of the year afterwards.
"There are a lot of people I should thank, first of all my family for the support they give me when I travel around the world; my wife is a really big part of the team.
“Each of my coaches have been a massive part of the journey to get here so thanks for your work. The volunteers and fans here make it possible, it truly is the best atmosphere in golf.
“I think it will take a long time for this to sink in. To go bogey-free at the weekend around a track like this, it’s very good.
“I was as calm as you can be in the final round in the Open. I felt like I was ready for it.”
Molinari mentioned he made no bogeys over the weekend, an incredible feat he also achieved over the weekend in winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier in the year, and he only made one in winning the Quicken Loans National.
“Each of my coaches have been a massive part of the journey to get here so thanks for your work. The volunteers and fans here make it possible, it truly is the best atmosphere in golf.
“I think it will take a long time for this to sink in. To go bogey-free at the weekend around a track like this, it’s very good.
“I was as calm as you can be in the final round in the Open. I felt like I was ready for it.”
Molinari mentioned he made no bogeys over the weekend, an incredible feat he also achieved over the weekend in winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier in the year, and he only made one in winning the Quicken Loans National.
Life is about to change for the man they call "Frankie" Besides forever being the 2018 "Golfer of the Year" a title worth millions, to go along with the nearly $2m winners share of this weekends prize fund, he has a 2 year exemption on the PGA Tour and entry into every major and WGC events for the next 5 years.
Strangely enough when most professional golfers have deals that cover all of their equipment, Molinari has a deal only covering his putter, which means he’s free to choose the other clubs which he puts into play, depending on their suitability to his game. It will be interesting to see if he follows the path of so many before him, who can't resist the millions the big companies offer to play their clubs and balls.
Remember Rory was offered a reported $200,000,000 by Nike to be one of their golfing ambassadors, after they dropped Tiger during his fall from grace.
Many of this weekend's stars got on the RBC jet and flew into Toronto last night for this week's Canadian Open at the Abbey and I'll have full tee times after today's Monday qualifier.
Meantime I hope Francesco and his family are somewhere quiet and alone to let this incredible last 2 months sink in, 3 wins, a pair of 2nds in 6 outings, Champion Golfer of the Year..... and so much more to follow..wow!
Remember Rory was offered a reported $200,000,000 by Nike to be one of their golfing ambassadors, after they dropped Tiger during his fall from grace.
Many of this weekend's stars got on the RBC jet and flew into Toronto last night for this week's Canadian Open at the Abbey and I'll have full tee times after today's Monday qualifier.
Meantime I hope Francesco and his family are somewhere quiet and alone to let this incredible last 2 months sink in, 3 wins, a pair of 2nds in 6 outings, Champion Golfer of the Year..... and so much more to follow..wow!
Bryan Angus
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