Modest Molinari secures win and his place in history
Italian is first European with perfect 5-0 record Rout of Mickelson seals point to regain Cup
If he was “on another planet” on Saturday, Francesco Molinari seemed supernova yesterday. Afterwards, however, the most understated man in golf showed his feet had never left the ground. “I almost was hoping Sergio [Garcia] would do it,” the Italian said after his victory over a hapless Phil Mickelson confirmed the Ryder Cup was coming back to Europe.
The magnitude of the event seemed to be hitting Molinari for at least a moment as he was doused in beer and almost wrestled to the ground by jubilant team-mates and supporters. But, at a post-victory press conference, Molinari delivered the most modest of performances for a man who had become the first European to compile a perfect 5-0 record in the contest, with American Larry Nelson the last to do so, in 1979. “I honestly don’t feel any difference bringing five points, or one point, or half a point like I did in Wales or in Medinah,” he said. “It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win the cup.”
Despite winning the Open just months ago, Molinari said: “My record [coming into the weekend]
was pretty shocking, so statistically there was a good chance of winning some points.”
Tommy Fleetwood – who had been paired with Molinari during four of those wins – interrupted by quipping “arrogant, so arrogant”.
Then Sergio Garcia sparked further laughs by urging journalists to ask Molinari what the 17th and 18th holes looked like. “I played them last Tuesday,” was Molinari’s quickfire response.
Just an hour earlier, Molinari had the honour of officially securing the win, beating Mickelson 4&2 when the American dumped his tee shot into the water on the 16th to suffer a record 22nd defeat in the contest. He became just the fourth player in Ryder Cup history to take five points from five.
Despite Molinari’s deadpan demeanour, he admitted the cup “means so much, more than majors, more than anything. It’s hard not to get emotional. They had probably the strongest team ever and we were just so good, it is unreal. Today it was hard to get the energy, but I stepped it up when I had to.”
Molinari has much in common with Nelson, a Vietnam war veteran with a modest character. Nelson beat Seve Ballesteros four times over the three days, while here Molinari showed equal disdain for reputation, stunning Tiger Woods three times before yesterday taking out Mickelson, the most common sight of all at the biennial match.
“On another planet” was how Thomas Bjorn had described Molinari on Saturday after four straight wins with Fleetwood. Last night Molinari said he “loved” the Englishman.