JOY RYDERS
Stunning Molinari scored a perfect five out of five and insists: This felt even better than winning The Open
FRANCESCO MOLINARI said leading Europe to glory was better than his Open triumph, after the perfect Italian secured the winning point.
The London-based West Ham fan became the first European to ever win all five matches when Phil Mickelson slapped his tee shot into the water on 16.
To sum up the difference between the two sides, American veteran Mickelson made his own unwanted history with his 22nd Ryder Cup defeat in a record 12th appearance.
It has been quite a summer for the world’s least emotional Italian. He won the BMW PGA, his first event in the USA and his first Major with metronomic brilliance.
But the deadpan Molinari, who had not won a match in his previous appearances in 2010 and 2012, insisted that his third Ryder Cup win was the best of the lot.
“It means so much,” he said. “So much more than Majors, more than anything. It’s hard not to get emotional when you think about the other players, the vice captains, Thomas Bjorn, the wives. It’s been an incredible week.
“Obviously to win all five is great, but it’s not about me. I played two before and I still had to win a match. I’ve been kind of carried by the other guys the other two times I was on the winning side, and it was time to help them and do a good job.
‘‘But it’s not about the individual. It’s about the group. It’s incredible. It is the best feeling I have ever had in golf. I couldn’t even dream of a summer like this.”
In the traditional knockabout winner’s press conference, the Moliwood bromance with Tommy Fleetwood (pictured below) continued to bloom. The Italian blew the Englishman a kiss while Fleetwood, who lost his singles without his trusted partner, complained: “He’s so far away!”
The two friends started rewriting the records books by becoming the first Europeans to win all four of their matches together – and both are now huge stars.
The long-haired Fleetwood, whose son Frankie celebrated his first birthday on Friday, said: “He’s unbelievable. He’s gone 5-0 in a Ryder Cup and that guy is one good golfer and he deserves all the credit he gets and I think it was very fitting that he got the winning shot, as well.”
Molinari, who was made for Le Golf National and team golf, responded: “I had an amazing partner in Tommy. It never felt like I had a rookie playing alongside me. It’s been a long week playing five matches but today I stepped it up when I had to.”
The Open champion, who won 4&2 yesterday, was so good he only saw the 17th hole once in three days.
Sergio Garcia said: “Why don’t you ask Francesco how are 17 and 18 playing? You know this golf course has 18 holes?” Even Molinari laughed.
Alex Noren ensured a bigger margin of victory than the American success at Hazeltine with a ridiculous 30-foot birdie putt to beat Bryson DeChambeau on the 18th green.
But after starting 10-6 down, the Americans briefly closed to within one point by winning three of the first four points.
Then the momentum stalled and it turned into a rout. And a love-in.
“Francesco and Tommy have gotten awfully close this week so I don’t know what’s going to happen between them tonight,” laughed Rory McIlroy.
“It’s been incredible. The atmosphere has been fantastic. Even after the loss at Hazeltine we had a good time on Sunday night, because it’s the last time we’re all going to be together for a while. This one will be extra special.”