Molinari the Magnificent

Francesco Molinari produced a bogey-free round under the most extreme pressure to end on eight-under, two strokes clear of the field, and become the first Italian to win a Major golf title at Carnoustie

Francesco Molinari poses for pictures with the Claret Jug

In ten previous appearances at the world’s oldest major, Francesco Molinari had missed four cuts and only once has he finished inside the top 10 - back in 2013. However, few players are in richer form than the 35-year-old Italian, who won his maiden PGA Tour title by a large eight strokes last month and claimed the biggest European Tour crown of his career at Wentworth in May.

Those wins have brought riches and expectation, but this brings something more valuable - a place in his nation’s sporting history.

"I feel disbelief. It is amazing to be here with the Claret Jug,” Molinari said, after incredibly managing to play 36 holes of weekend golf, on one of the world's most demanding courses, without dropping a shot, "to look at the names on the Claret Jug, they are the best in history. For me, to come from Italy, it has been an incredible journey.”

Molinari started the day three shots back from leaders Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele and kept his head while all around were losing theirs.

Tiger Woods rolled back the years for the second straight day, producing a swaggering front nine as he surged to the top of the leaderboard. It seemed fate this group would produce the Champion Golfer and so it did, just not the one expected.

Woods's playing partner Molinari kept his head down and maintained his focus, and he was not interested in playing a supporting role. The 14 - time Major champion ultimately finished three shots back from the Italian, a double bogey at 11 and bogey at 12 ultimately denying those who wanted to write a fairytale story.

Tiger Wood tees off in the final round

Pages

Click here to see the published article.