‘Cool’ Molinari wins first major
Francesco Molinari kept the coolest head in Carnoustie as he plotted a steady course through a wild afternoon of nailbiting tension at the British Open on Sunday to become the first Italian to win a major.
With a strong breeze causing mayhem at the top of the leaderboard which Tiger Woods topped with nine holes left, the 35-year-old Molinari produced a flawless 69 to claim victory by two strokes.
As overnight leaders Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner endured a rollercoaster ride, Molinari carded 13 consecutive pars before making his move.
He rolled in a birdie on the par-five 14th to move into the lead on seven-under.
With Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy in the clubhouse on six-under, Schauffele fought back from a 40 outward nine to get to seven-under but Molinari was unflappable as he birdied the 18th to all but seal victory.
There was still the anxious wait in the recorder’s cabin while the groups behind finished their rounds but he could celebrate when Schauffele’s second shot to the 18th never threatened the eagle he needed to force a playoff.
“Congratulations to the runners-up as well. It has been a tough fight.
“There is only one winner unfortunately in golf, this time it is me but congratulations to them,” Molinari said.
Molinari, playing in his 36th major, finished on eight-under 276, two shots ahead of Schauffele, Rose, McIlroy and Kisner. Woods finished tied sixth on 279 with Eddie Pepperell and Kevin Chappell.
“The way Francesco played today was beautiful,” the 42year-old Woods, who had looked on course for a fairytale comeback until a double-bogey on the 11th halted his charge, said.
Spieth’s hopes of emulating Woods by winning the Claret Jug for a second successive year withered away as he slumped to a final-round 76 on a very hard scoring day.