Francesco Molinari reflects on what went wrong at Augusta

Amid all the hoopla surrounding Tiger Woods’ incredible Masters victory, it’s easy to forget what happened to Francesco Molinari.
For much of Sunday’s final round at Augusta it seemed like Molinari had a date with destiny and a Masters green jacket, but it wasn’t to be.
The Italian had been rock-solid through the first 60 holes at Augusta, but when it mattered most his game deserted him.
With the pressure on down the stretch he inexplicably found the water twice and made double-bogey each time, first at Rae’s Creek on 12, and then again at 15 when he was still tied for the lead, effectively ending his chances.
https://twitter.com/_SportsPlug/status/1117466874168606720
Molinari eventually limped home in 74 to finish two shots off the pace on 11 under par, and was left to reflect on the couple of ill-conceived shots that ended up separating him from glory.
“I managed to scramble well on the front nine and I think I just had a couple of mental lapses on the back nine that were costly,” said Molinari.
“I think we picked the right shot and just didn’t hit it hard enough, as simple as that. And it was tough today with the wind gusting, but it is what it is. I was trying to hit a chippy eight‑iron. It was probably a nine‑iron yardage but I didn’t want the wind to gust and to get the ball too much and I just didn’t hit it hard enough.
“I think it wasn’t my day today. That ball on 12, if it’s one yard further left it probably goes in the bunker and the third shot on 15, it could easily not have clipped the tree and sometimes it is your day, sometimes it isn’t, but I’m really happy of the way I felt out there.
“I was calm, collected, never panicked, even after the first double-bogey, and I’ll learn a lot I think from today. Obviously I’ve done a couple of things that I wish I had done differently now, but I’ll learn from my mistakes.”
It seems the tide of history was with Woods on Sunday, just as it had been so many times in the past, and the momentous nature of the occasion was not lost on Molinari, despite his obvious disappointment.
“It’s great to see Tiger doing well but the way he was playing last year I think we all knew it was coming sooner or later,” said the Italian.
“Maybe next time it will be better for me, but it was nice to be out with him. He played very well, he hit the right shots at the right time and deserved to win.”
Molinari was even able to joke about his own misfortune, no doubt realising just how many people were left thrilled by his costly mistakes.
“I think I made a few new fans today with those two double bogeys,” he added with a smile.
https://twitter.com/EuropeanTour/status/1117540532203347968
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie named European captain for Ryder Cup
The Scot led Europe to a thrilling victory.
-
News
Padraig Harrington expecting ‘serious party’ if Ryder Cup played with crowds
Harrington accepts playing with no crowds would be a better option than another postponement.
-
News
Ryder Cup qualification ‘one of the biggest goals’ of 2021 for Sergio Garcia
The Spaniard is the top points scorer in the competition’s history.
-
News
‘My best is ahead of me’ – Justin Rose motivated by winning majors, not rankings
The Englishman endured a first winless season since 2009 in 2020 and starts this week’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic ranked 38th in the world.
-
News
Justin Rose concerned about his chances of defending his Olympic title
Rose won gold in Rio in 2016 but the former world number one is currently outside the qualifying places.
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.