Molinari surges to huge Tour win

SWEET-SWINGING Francesco Molinari “executed the plan perfectly” to clinch a first PGA Tour title in style by storming to an emphatic eightshot victory at the Quicken Loans National in Maryland on Sunday.

Molinari matched the course record with an eightunder-par 62 in the final round to become the first Italian winner on the US-based circuit since Toney Penna in 1947.

Australian Mark Leishman made three birdies in his closing four holes to sign for a 70 and finish at seven under, in a tie for 13th.

His countryman Cameron Percy was also even on Sunday, to three under for the week and tied for 32nd. But it was all Molinari. Swinging with metronomic precision, the two-times European Ryder Cup member stamped his authority on the field with a 15m eagle putt at the par-five 10th, before streaking further clear with four consecutive birdies from the 11th.

He finished on 21-under 259, while American Ryan Armour was second on 13-under.

“It was a lot easier than I thought,” Molinari said.

“I played great. The start of the back nine was incredible.

“Really proud of what I’ve done and I hope a lot of guys back home were watching.”

Molinari’s triumph vindicated the 35-year-old’s decision to skip this week’s French Open on his home tour, a tournament played on the same course that will host the Ryder Cup in late September.

“It was not easy to skip Paris and the French Open but I think I can say it was the right decision,” he said.

It was also an encouraging week for Tiger Woods as he continues to improve since his return to the circuit, the American shooting 66 to finish 10 shots behind the winner in a tie for fourth.

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