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Molinari’s Arnie-style charge blows them away
FRANCESCO MOLINARI lapped up his own slice of blockbuster magic in Florida last night as the Italian muscled his way from five shots behind to win.
The Open champion posted a bogey-free eight-under 64 to clinch a two-stroke victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
After an Arnie-like charge Molinari finished his round just over 90 minutes before being fitted with the trademark red cardigan.
And the 36-year-old did it in some style, sinking a 45-foot birdie gem at the par-four 18th for a 12-under 276 total two clear of Matt Fitzpatrick.
The usually low-key Italian raised his right arm in the air with his index finger outstretched to hail his putt.
And he said: “It is very special to win here at the home of Arnold Palmer. My putt there at the last was a pretty iconic putt.
“I’m pretty sure I’m the first guy to make it with the flag in, though – that’s the real difference. I was just trying to lag it close to the hole and it came out on a great line and maybe a little firmer than I wanted.
“But the line was just right and it was incredible to see it going in.
“I’ve seen so many putts on TV like that on 18, including Tiger, and to do it yourself it’s amazing. To have a round like this and to be handed a second trophy with Arnold Palmer’s name on it is very special.
“And after being in the winning Ryder Cup team it’s great to win very early in a new season.”
Molinari recorded just 24 putts in his 64 and didn’t need the putting stick when he chipped in at eight.
On his mindset after he had teed off five off the lead, he said: “I thought there was an outside chance and just started making putts.
“I probably have to say it’s my best putting round ever.
“I don’t know if I could have done a lot more than that to be honest.”
Overnight leader Fitzpatrick shot 71 for second while fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood made amends for Saturday’s horror show with a 68.
Fleetwood rattled off three birdies on his back nine for a share of third with South Korea’s Sungjae Im – who shot a 68 – and Rafa Cabrera-Bello following the Spaniard’s 69.
Defending champ Rory McIlroy carded a 72 to finish tied sixth, four off Ryder Cup team-mate Molinari.
Asked what had elevated his game over the past year, Molinari admitted confidence had a lot to do with it.
He said: “In the summer I went a run of golf that was hard to believe, even for me. The winter came and it was time to find some motivation, which wasn’t extremely easy after last year. The smart thing to do was to take a long break.”
McIlroy said: “It was a tough day, tough to get it close to the hole. I feel like I really didn’t play that badly.” Meanwhile, South Africa’s Justin Harding is within sight of securing a Masters debut after claiming his first European Tour title at the Qatar Masters in Doha.
Harding birdied three of the last four holes in a closing 66 to finish 13 under, two shots ahead of a ninethrough strong group. The 33-year-old is projected to move just outside the world’s top 50 when the rankings are updated today. The top 50 on April 1 receive an invite to Augusta, the first Major of the year.
Rookie Robert Macintyre finished the leading Scot, posting a 70 for a share of 31st on five under.