Molinari wins The Open title

Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win a Major as he won the 147th Open Championship by two shots with an eight-under-par total at Carnoustie on Saturday.
The 35-year-old, who has been in red-hot form of late, played a solid controlled final round, in tough conditions, to score a 69 after a birdie on the final hole, to win his biggest tournament ever.
He also did not make a single bogey over the weekend.
Two shots back on six under was a group of four players – Englishman Justin Rose(69), Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (70) plus American duo Kevin Kisner (74) and Xander Schauffele (74).
The first ever Italian Major Champion 🇮🇹 #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/z2jOKL6fTD
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
Molinari, who started the final round three shots behind co-leaders Kisner, Schauffele and Jordan Spieth, scored 13 consecutive pars at the start of his round before his first birdie on the 14th and then a second on the final hole, for his 69 and the victory.
American Tiger Woods had looked well placed to claim a 15th Major but a double-bogey six on the 11th hole and another bogey on the 12th ruled him out of contention with a 71, and a tie for third place, with England’s Eddie Pepperell (67) and American Kevin Chappel (73), all tied at five under.
Schauffele seemed to get his act together after dropping four shots in three holes on the front nine with birdies at the tenth and 14th to join Molinari on seven under. But a bogey on the 17th ended his hopes of winning and had to settle for a second-place tie.
After his victory, Molinari said: “What a week. Obviously, it’s incredible to stand here between all these people.
“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.
You might be surprised how @F_Molinari plans on celebrating 😂 👇 pic.twitter.com/LtW2kNyXDT
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018
“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.”
Leading Scores:
1 MOLINARI, Francesco -8 70 72 65 69 – 276
T2 ROSE, Justin -6 72 73 64 69
T2 MCILROY, Rory -6 69 69 70 70
T2 KISNER, Kevin -6 66 70 68 74
T2 SCHAUFFELE, Xander -6 71 66 67 74
T6 PEPPERELL, Eddie -5 71 70 71 67
T6 WOODS, Tiger -5 71 71 66 71
T6 CHAPPELL, Kevin -5 70 69 67 73
T9 FINAU, Tony -4 67 71 71 71
T9 KUCHAR, Matt -4 70 68 70 72
T9 SPIETH, Jordan -4 72 67 65 76
T12 CANTLAY, Patrick -3 70 71 70 70
T12 OLESEN, Thorbjorn -3 70 70 70 71
T12 MOORE, Ryan -3 68 73 69 71
T12 FLEETWOOD, Tommy -3 72 65 71 73
T12 SIMPSON, Webb -3 70 71 67 73
T17 DAY, Jason -2 71 71 72 68
T17 PEREZ, Pat -2 69 68 74 71
T17 VAN ROOYEN, Erik -2 67 71 71 73
T17 HOFFMAN, Charley -2 71 70 68 73
T17 SCOTT, Adam -2 71 70 68 73
T17 JOHNSON, Zach -2 69 67 72 74
T17 NOREN, Alex -2 70 71 67 74
Latest
-
The Masters
‘Unfortunate’ if Masters is no longer shown on terrestrial TV, says Rory McIlroy
According to a report, the BBC is set to not renew its deal to show highlights of the event.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy hits back at Patrick Reed as tensions rise at Dubai Desert Classic
‘I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living,’ McIlroy said.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy has ‘unfinished business’ as rankings race with Jon Rahm heats up
Rahm has won four of his last six events and could replace McIlroy at the top of the world this weekend.
-
PGA Tour
Jon Rahm to begin bid for hat-trick of PGA Tour wins with ‘very high hopes’
Rahm has fond memories of Torrey Pines, venue of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open.
-
News
Jon Rahm outlasts rookie Davis Thompson to win American Express by one stroke
The Spaniard will now move up one spot in the world rankings to number three.
-
PGA Tour
Victor Perez survives late scare to win in Abu Dhabi after brilliant bunker shot
Perez produced a sensational birdie from the sand on the 17th to clinch his first Rolex Series title.
-
PGA Tour
Shane Lowry, Francesco Molinari and Min Woo Lee tied at the top in Abu Dhabi
The trio head into Sunday’s final round on 13 under par with a three-strong group one shot back.
-
PGA Tour
Francesco Molinari rediscovers form to claim share of lead in Abu Dhabi
The Italian has not had a top-three finish in a strokeplay event since March 2019.
-
PGA Tour
Davis Thompson takes two-shot lead over world number four Jon Rahm
The 23-year-old shot a career-low 10-under 62 in the first round.
-
PGA Tour
Luke Donald shows Ryder Cup hopefuls how it’s done in Abu Dhabi
Donald played down his chances of becoming a playing captain.