Molinari in with a shout of reclaiming Claret Jug after recovering from Augusta agony
FRANCESCO MOLINARI might be quiet but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love playing to a noisy crowd.
Consider his landmark Open win this time last year at Carnoustie, earned amid the fevered excitement of playing partner Tiger Woods at last back on the prowl for Major glory.
In the end it was the silent assassin who prevailed, quietly taking care of business while everyone else was looking the other way.
Same goes for the Ryder Cup where, again predominantly in the company of Woods, Molinari claimed an unprecedented five points out of five to hog the headlines in tandem with playing partner Tommy Fleetwood.
So don’t expect him to be bracing himself for the raucous atmosphere that awaits the defending BY EUAN McLEAN champion when he steps out before a Northern Irish crowd fit to burst with 68 years worth of anticipation since Portrush last hosted The Open. The fact is it was on this turf where he experienced one of the biggest atmospheres of his career, playing the 2012 Irish Open in the company of Darren Clarke – a Portrush resident and club member who at the time just happened to be reigning Open champ. After an experience like that he reckons strolling out there as defending champion himself will be like a walk in the park. Molinari said: “Maybe part of it is my personality, not really caring too much about being in the spotlight but I’m not bothered by attention.
“I enjoy the support of the crowds. The Ryder Cup wouldn’t have been the same without the involvement of the crowd.
“Walking through the train station in Paris the day after we won. That stays with you forever and you never forget.
“For me it is about less attention than the other guys so that I can do the work on my game.
“I can only imagine what it will be like at Portrush as I was there in 2012 and saw the passion of the crowds.
“I played there with Darren who was Open champion at the time and the atmosphere around him was incredible. For the Irish people to have The Open back they’ll enjoy every single moment of it.
“It is going to be a historic Open which is even more reason for me to enjoy the experience and use the energy of the crowd.
Molinari admits there has been less to appreciate about his game this season having found it tough to live up to a stellar 2018.
Yet it could all have been so different had things panned out differently in the final round of the Masters in April when, again in the company of Woods, he found the boot on the other foot. Leading by two shots stepping on to the 12th tee, the Italian’s chances were drowned in the infamous Rae’s Creek while Tiger motored on to claim his fairytale comeback Major.
It was an emotional and psychological blow that knocked the wind out of his sails for months but the 36-year-old’s seen enough improvement to suggest he can get back in the mix.
Who knows, perhaps it’s fate he and Woods will find themselves locked in a fourth intriguing battle come Sunday afternoon.
He said: “It’s a recurring theme (with Tiger). I’m sure both of us will try to be there on Sunday afternoon.
“Since Augusta things are not quite where they were. It is trial and error, learning from mistakes.
“I’ve tried to evaluate myself, not strictly look at scores and results, and on the greens I’ve made big progress with putting. Overall it’s been a good 12 months.”