MOLI PLANS A ROUGH RYDER
Tiger is in the firing line
THOMAS BJORN hopes Open champion Francesco Molinari will get the chance to stare down the eye of the Tiger in a Ryder Cup rematch.
Ice-cool Italian ace Molinari didn’t blink when under attack from a resurgent Tiger Woods at Carnoustie on Sunday, lifting the famous Claret Jug ahead of his final-round playing partner.
Molinari’s first Major win guarantees him a slot in Bjorn’s European Ryder Cup side to face the USA at Le Golf National in Paris.
And Bjorn believes Woods’ return to the bigtime now gives rival US skipper Jim Furyk food for thought as he ponders his captain’s picks for the September showdown.
Bjorn (right) said: “The first 27 holes on Saturday and Sunday was like the Tiger Woods of old.
He was very, very impressive.
“He will contend in Majors and win golf tournaments again.
“I’d love to see him Paris for so many reasons, but mostly because it’s absolutely the best thing that could happen to the game of golf.”
Molinari’s victory was a massive boost for the European side and there would be no need for Molinari to fear a clash again with Woods or any other top Yank.
The last five Majors had been won by Americans and with Woods, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner, Xander Schauffele, Kevin Chappell, Matt Kuchar and Tony Finau all in the hunt at Carnoustie, it looked like being six in a row.
Bjorn said: “Obviously we are delighted, this side of the Atlantic, with our guys winning Majors. It will do Francesco’s confidence a lot of good. He will come into the team now as one of the guys on form that everyone is looking to and now it’s up to him to step up his performances. “He’s got another Major coming up and with the form he’s in this could turn into one very special year.” Europe’s hopes of winning back the Ryder Cup were also given a shot in the arm by the form of Justin Rose and Rory McIlory, who tied for second at Carnoustie.
Both men have struggled to find their best form, but Bjorn saw a spark in their play and added: “You look at Rory and Justin and they put in performances that we have come to expect from those guys.
“European golf is in great shape. I go to bed with a little smile on my face, knowing that my job might be getting a little bit harder for some decisions and a little bit easier for when we get to Paris.” Meanwhile, Molinari has been hailed as the Ronaldo of Italian golf by Open nearly man Costantino Rocca.
Rocca lost a play-off to John Daly at St Andrews in 1995, but was thrilled for his friend, countryman and fellow Inter Milan fan Molinari.
Ahead of the Senior Open at St Andrews this week Rocca said: “Juventus have bought Ronaldo but we have our Ronaldo now.
“I am more emotional than him. It felt like a win for me, 23 years on.”