Modest Molinari braces for one last push

World number six Francesco Molinari is set for a few more weeks of golf as he looks ahead to the end of the European season.
The Italian is preparing for this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions Tournament at Sheshan International in Shanghai, where victory would seal his position at the top of the Race to Dubai rankings.
“Because of the way I play the game, tough courses suit me,” the35-year-old told hsbcgolf.com.
“It’s great to be leading the Race to Dubai and I want to try to win in Shanghai to get me closer to finishing the year as the European No.1. I’m quite tired after the run I’ve had, so I’ll take the next week off to prepare properly for the final event in Dubai.
“I’ll then have a seven-week break so I can put the clubs away and spend some time with the family at home in London. I haven’t had much time to sit down and reflect on the season so far, but there’s a real sense of achievement.”
A ‘sense of achievement’ is somewhat of an understatement.
After struggling in the first half of the season, Molinari kicked into gear at the BMW PGA Championship, which started a superlative run. He followed the victory up with a runner-up finish at the Italian Open, went on to win the Quicken Loans Invitational by seven strokes and then held off a charging Tiger Woods at The Open to win his first major.
As if that wasn’t enough, Molinari went on to become the only European to win all five of his matches in a winning Ryder Cup campaign at Le Golf National.
A lot of love on this team 😍#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/LJhXzkkC9y
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) 30 September 2018
“When they are not playing well 90 percent of the golfers on tour will tell you it’s just around the corner,” he reflected.
“I really believed that, but in reality you never really know. Early in the season I wasn’t playing very well and it was frustrating because I felt I’d improved last year as a player but I wasn’t seeing the scores or the results.
“Winning at Wentworth definitely gave me a boost of confidence that carried into the summer. After that I went on to win the Quicken Loans event on the PGA Tour in America and then it was like a snowball effect leading to the Open at Carnoustie and the Ryder Cup in France.”
Latest
-
PGA Tour
It’s been a battle – Rory McIlroy delighted to pip rival Patrick Reed in Dubai
The Northern Irishman birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish a shot ahead of Reed on 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy holds off rival Patrick Reed with birdie on 18 to seal Dubai win
McIlroy birdied the final two holes at Emirates Golf Club to card a closing 68 and finish 19 under par.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy leads by three in bid to win his third Dubai Desert Classic title
England’s Callum Shinkwin and Dan Bradbury are McIlroy’s closest challengers heading into the final round.
-
LPGA Tour
Golf bid to increase diversity in sport improving but still has ‘long way to go’
Nicola Bennett is an ambassador for the Golf Foundation, helping to drive grassroots campaigns.
-
PGA Tour
Richard Bland boasts share of lead at halfway stage in Dubai Desert Classic
The 49-year-old returned to complete his second round on Saturday morning, carding three more birdies and a solitary bogey in his remaining 14 holes.
-
News
On this day in 2009 – Colin Montgomerie appointed Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Scot made eight playing appearances in the competition.
-
News
Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed set up potential showdown in Dubai
McIlroy and Reed found themselves a shot behind world number one amateur Ludvig Aberg and Ian Poulter.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy finishes superbly to take share of lead with rival Patrick Reed
The pre-tournament build-up had been dominated by the war of words between Reed and McIlroy.
-
PGA Tour
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.