Francesco puts a Major dent in US confidence

AT last America’s choke hold of the Majors has been loosened.

Now if Francesco Molinari’s Ryder Cup team-mates can knock off the last one next month, Europe will march proudly to France with confidence that they’re ready to compete on a level playing field.

Since Darren Clarke’s inexperienced European side were blown away at Hazeltine the swagger on the other side of the Atlantic became increasingly evident with every passing Major.

Not since Sergio Garcia at Augusta in April 2017 had a non-American held one of the four big titles.

Throw in the big team prizes like the Ryder Cup, President’s Cup, Solheim Cup, Walker Cup and Curtis Cup – all in their grasp.

But the dramatic events at Carnoustie have just injected a significant shot in the arm for the European team ahead of the rematch at Le Golf National in September.

For no longer can they lay claim to dominating world golf after five straight Major titles being swathed in the stars and stripes.

And if next month’s USPGA Championship falls into European hands too, they’ll go into this clash on level terms in the psychology stakes.

For that, captain Thomas Bjorn will have the softly-spoken Italian to thank for landing the first punch at just the right time.

The sight of his big guns beginning to fire at just the right time must be a huge source of excitement for Bjorn.

Rory McIlroy dropping a bomb on the 14th for eagle to blast his way to the top of the leaderboard was the kind of aggressive, explosive excitement we’ve been craving from the Northern Irishman for months. Years, even.

Justin Rose suddenly scything through the field in 69 blows to post the clubhouse lead for the rest to chase.

If these are signs of Bjorn’s key men clicking into top gear for the second half of the season the pendulum may be swinging his way.

Of course, across the Pond they’ll revel in the return of Tiger Woods to the business end of a Major leaderboard.

He’ll be their talisman if he makes the team, no doubt. So let them not forget that on Sunday he was beaten by three of our guys – and matched

Bjorn will have the Italian to thank for landing first punch at right time

by some English kid he’s probably never heard of named Eddie Pepperell. And Eddie was hungover.

So let’s not allow the confident noises coming from the American side temper belief a minute longer. Molinari just showed the USA’s depth of top-class talent can be beaten using patience, focus and a wedge that he wielded like a magic wand.

If he or another of his European pals can pull off something similar at the PGA, let’s see if America feels quite so great about itself then.