Beating Rory was Major win
FRANCESCO MOLINARI has revealed dumping Rory McIlroy at Wentworth last May was the key to his latest win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The Italian brilliantly duplicated McIlroy’s Bay Hill final round of 64 of a year ago to win Arnie’s event by two shots.
Since then Molinari has captured three PGA Tour victories, become the first Italian to win a Major with his Open Championship triumph at Carnoustie, broke a European scoring record at the Ryder Cup, been crowned European No. 1 and claimed a host of prestigious awards including the Association of Golf Writer’s coveted Golfer of the Year.
The 36-year old has also jumped from 33rd in the world to now be ranked No.7 and just one place behind McIlroy.
He said: “It’s hard to point a finger at one thing but confidence has to do with a lot of it.
“When I won last year, playing with Rory in the last few groups, it wasn’t easy at all.
“So from there I started building my confidence and just saying I could get it done.
“I’ve also got to the state I’m not scared about going out on the golf course playing against anyone but it’s just really hard for me to picture myself where I am at the moment.”
McIlroy is now 0-9 since the start of the 2018 season when he’s started the final round in the final group.
But he said: “I’m playing well, I’m getting myself into contention every week.
“That’s the great thing about golf, you don’t have to wait too long to get back on the horse.”