Molinari victory no surprise to fellow pros

Francesco Molinari is the toast of Italy after securing the country’s first ever major title with his victory in the Open Championship on Sunday.
Molinari fired a steady two-under final round of 69 in windy conditions as challenges from Tiger Woods, defending champion Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy either faded or failed to materialise.
It marked a superb end to the tournament for Molinari, who went bogey free over the last 36 holes at Carnoustie, one of the most feared venues on the Open roster.
The result was all the more impressive as Molinari was playing alongside Tiger Woods and the circus that accompanies the 14-time major champion.
Although golf fans were quick to point out that it wasn’t the first time the Italian had been in the same group as Woods at a major.
These pictures from the '06 Masters of Molinari caddying against Tiger (and Stevie!) are priceless pic.twitter.com/Hb39YHuuoH
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) July 22, 2018
The win was extremely popular among Molinari’s fellow professionals, who rushed to congratulate him on social media.
What a round by @F_Molinari. Played with him Thursday-Friday, not surprised! Guy is the hottest player on the planet currently. Bogey free out there today is a championship round
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) July 22, 2018
Congratulations @F_Molinari What a display this weekend. Huge win and huge #Respect #theopen @TheOpen 👍🏻👊🏻🇮🇹🇪🇺🏆 pic.twitter.com/1J4qsV1ARZ
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) July 22, 2018
Viva Italia…
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) July 22, 2018
Grande @F_Molinari – a ball striker winning on a ball striking course! Champion golfer of the year!! #ClaretJug
— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) July 22, 2018
Great @TheOpen … deserved winner @F_Molinari . Congratulations
— Louis Oosthuizen (@Louis57TM) July 22, 2018
Grande no, Major @F_Molinari! What a display of golf my friend! Very much deserved @TheOpen win! 1st Italian golfer to win a Major, amazing!
— Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) July 22, 2018
I can’t find words right now, but one picture would do it… #championgolferoftheyear @TheOpen @EuropeanTour pic.twitter.com/tlsJS5OHeZ
— Edoardo Molinari (@DodoMolinari) July 22, 2018
It also capped a remarkable few weeks for the 35-year old who had been in sparkling form in the weeks ahead of The Open as his recent results show.
Molinari’s last five tournaments:
BMW PGA Championship – 24 May-27 May (winner)
Italian Open – May 31-June 3 (second place)
US Open – June 14-June 17 (tied 25th)
Quicken Loans National – June 28-July 1 (winner)
John Deere Classic – July 12-July 15 (second place)
Nobody could say they didn’t see it coming.
As for what’s next for the new Champion Golfer of the Year, fellow pro Wes Bryan revealed all in a tweet that he said quoted Molinari talking about his retirement plans during a tournament in China earlier this year.
Direct quotes from @F_Molinari earlier this season when we played together in China…..I saved it in my notes for a moment like this pic.twitter.com/RjZAiPhLNs
— Wesley Bryan (@wesleybryangolf) July 22, 2018
Exciting times ahead it seems!
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