MAJOR MOVE BY FRANCESCO
Bogey-free Molinari relishes Augusta as dream year goes on
The story is well told now of the day Francesco Molinari visited Augusta National for the first time and slipped on the white boiler suit to caddy for his brother edoardo at the 2006 Masters.
This weekend, it is the green jacket itself he is seeking to wear after becoming the early halfway leader alongside American Brooks Koepka and Australian Jason Day following a blistering, bogey-free 67 yesterday.
As if he hasn’t composed enough fairy tales over the last 12 months, this one might end up being the best of all.
On a leaderboard filled with quality names, the leading trio finished a stroke ahead of world No 2 Dustin Johnson, who shot 70. Just two shots adrift is englishman Ian Poulter, who followed up his opening 68 with a 71.
Three-time champion Phil Mickelson, bidding at 48 to become the oldest Masters winner of all, is three behind after a 73, alongside Georgia native and caddie skinflint, Matt Kuchar.
As the reigning US Amateur Champion, edoardo Molinari got to play with the defending Masters champion in 2006 — who just happened to be Tiger Woods. ‘It was all the motivation I needed to work harder and get better at this game,’ acknowledged Francesco. ‘I wanted to play, and now when I look back you have to say it has been a cool journey.’
Yes, you could say that. What a player the younger Molinari has become. The pattern of golfers who come from nowhere to achieve the year of their lives and then struggle for an encore has been a familiar one for as long as the professional game has been played. Clearly, their well-packed ranks are not about to contain the name of the 36-year-old from Turin.
The Open Champion, BMW PGA Champion and Ryder Cup history maker from last season has already got a notable win to his name this year with his victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, following a stunning, bogey-free, final round 64. Could he take that form into the season’s first major, a tournament where his decidedly modest record showed nothing better than a tied 19th finish in seven previous appearances? Well, what do you think?
While all eyes were on Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau — it was the first time since 1982 that two Americans under the age of 30 had gone into the second round with a share of the lead — Molinari, in typical fashion, quietly made his move.
No fuss, no fanfare, just his usual solid play as he built on his opening round of 70 by birdieing the ninth from 20ft to complete an outward half in 33 strokes.
Two good pars at the 10th and 11th were followed by another gain at the par three 12th, where he rolled his birdie putt home from 15ft. Two blows into the middle of the 15th green meant another birdie, with the only mild surprise being that he failed to convert from 8ft for another birdie at the par four 17th.
‘It was just a really good day all round,’ said Molinari, who revealed the stark difference as to why he now feels he can play Augusta.
‘My short game is so much better than it used to be, so I don’t have that sense of panic if I miss the greens,’ he added.
‘Of course, if you miss in the wrong spots you’ve got no chance, no matter how good your short game, but so far I’ve been good at avoiding those.’
Day was on the practice putting green on Thursday when he saw his young daughter Lucy approaching. he picked her up and felt his back give way. What followed was an anxious front nine in which he twice needed treatment. he’s still managing it, while living up fully to the old adage about ‘beware the injured golfer’.
‘As someone who’d already suffered a back injury this year I should have been more careful but it’s hard when you see your daughter smiling,’ said Day.
‘I had my chiropractor walking with me for a few holes and he helped out. It’s definitely a lot better now.’
The man who might prove the biggest danger to Molinari is reigning US Open and PGA Champion Koepka, who recovered from a rough start to pick up two shots in the final four holes.
For the first time in 215 par fives he’d played in majors, the 28-yearold registered a double bogey — and as early as the second hole at that. But he shrugged it off to remain firmly in contention for his third major out of the last four played.
As for his first round co-leader, this was the first time DeChambeau had ever been in the top five in a major — and it showed as he stumbled to a 75
Among the early finishers, American Patton Kizzire — yes, he is named after the famous general — ensured himself a late tee-time in the third round this afternoon by adding a second round of 70 for a four under par total.
It was a considerable upgrade on the two rounds of 76 that the 33year-old from Alabama shot last year as he comfortably missed the halfway cut on his Masters debut. ‘I’ve been practising hard with the aim of doing a lot better than last year and I think I’ve shown that I’m a lot more patient,’ he said.
On three under is another pedigree name in former PGA Champion Justin Thomas, while european Ryder Cup player Thorbjorn Olesen and recent Match Play winner Kevin Kisner are on two under.
Tyrrell hatton will be among the
early starters today on two over but Paul Casey could not recover from his horrific opening 81 and comfortably missed the halfway cut.
Among the late starters, Tiger Woods moved to three under for the event after holing from fully 40ft for a birdie at the 9th.
Something good finally happened for Rory McIlroy, too, as he eagled the par-five eighth to move to six shots off the lead on one under.