Frankie’s valleys led to this peak
FRANCESCO MOLINARI was flawless as Carnoustie delivered one of the most enthralling Open championships in memory.
It was a Sunday to savour with Tiger, Rory and defending champion Jordan Spieth all flirting with the Claret Jug down the stretch.
The fact Molinari didn’t flinch – particularly in the company of Woods, who himself hit the leaderboard summit at the 10th – speaks volumes.
What his round lacked in fist pumps and fireworks, it delivered in grit. His ball striking and scrambling to yield 16 pars and two birdies were exemplary.
Prior to Carnoustie, the Italian had a reputation as a tee-to-green specialist who never really got the job done on the dance floor.
Well, he has torn that reputation asunder in recent weeks, with three wins and two runners-up in his last six outings.
Winning is a habit and Frankie – now up to sixth in the world – has had that habit since triumphing at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May.
Further wins at the Quicken Loans and The Open have gifted him an aura of confidence.
Any self doubt he carried has gone and all the positive strides he has made in recent times have been reinforced by results. He is in the zone.
In previous years Molinari nicked a win here and there, but a new sense of professionalism and purpose has taken him to the next level. A friend of mine applied to be his caddy last year and while he didn’t get the post, he told me it was the most thorough interview he ever undertook with a player.
That doesn’t always happen. It’s generally a quick phone call and a few questions.
Not with Frankie, whose new found drive and focus is paying off.
He has also gathered a superb team around him. Putting specialist Phil Kenyon, swing coach Denis Pugh and sports psychologist Dave Alred are all vital cogs in the Molinari machine, as is caddy Pello Iguaran.
Iguaran was a surprise choice at the time, but he has been an inspired addition.
I spent time with Alred at a coaching clinic. His method is one of match behaviour in training.
Kenyon is a very informed guy and calm to work with, while the bubblier Pugh has worked around top players his entire career. All have contributed to Frankie being a ‘closer’.
No way would the old Molinari have holed those putts down the stretch.
The team around him has helped forge a ruthless streak in a humble guy’s DNA.
They’ve helped hone a fearsome focus that kept Tiger and company at bay at Carnoustie.
It was a joy to watch. Sometimes, nice guys do win.