Molinari fires sizzling 64 for victory
MIAMI: Italy’s Francesco Molinari unleashed the greatest putting performance of his career on Sunday, firing a finalround eight-under 64 to win the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational by two strokes.
The 36-year-old from Turin, who took an extended rest after a career-best 2018 campaign, sank every putt from inside 15 feet to charge from five shots back and finish on 12-under 276 with a bogey-free final round at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida.
“Incredible,” Molinari said. “It’s high up there with the best wins I’ve had.”
An 18th-hole birdie from 43 feet closed out what reigning British Open champion Molinari called “probably my best putting round ever,” a claim supported by his 164.5 feet of putts made Sunday, the most by him in any US PGA round.
“I could have done a lot more than that to be honest,” Molinari said. “It was really amazing to see.”
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 54hole leader by a stroke over Rory McIlroy, fired a 71 to settle for second on 278 with South Korea’s Im Sung-jae, England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello sharing third on 279.
Molinari finished 90 minutes ahead of the final group, then watched the last 10 pairings reach the clubhouse trying in vain to match his magical run to a third win in his past 12 US PGA starts — this event named for one of Molinari’s sporting idols.
“I’m just super glad,” Molinari said. “It’s great to get it done here at Arnie’s place, knowing my wife and kids are watching back home.
“It’s a special, special one. Arnie was a special player but also a special person and a global icon. He and Jack (Nicklaus) were up there with the gods.”
Now, after a significant rest, Molinari has one more trophy to add to his collection with the Masters only a month away.
“Finding motivation was easy after last year,” Molinari said. “I took a longer break after last year. I’ve never been a fast starter on the PGA Tour. So this is nice to see.”