This time last year, Francesco Molinari was in the form of his life after sealing his maiden career Major at the Open, topping the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and performing flawlessly for Team Europe in their Ryder Cup triumph in France. When he arrived in Augusta, the Italian rode the momentum and gave himself a brilliant chance of leaving with a Green Jacket until he reached the diabolical 12th hole par 3 at Amen Corner.
Molinari had a one shot lead over crowd-favourite Tiger Woods and looked his assured self with seven holes to play. However, his tee shot dribbled into Rae’s Creek as he made a double bogey and lost a lead that would never be regained.
Summary of Tiger Woods & Francesco Molinari on final 9 holes of #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ooqcpgzBZh
— Denlesks (@Denlesks) April 14, 2019
You all know the result. Tiger Woods went to win another Green Jacket and proved to the world that miracles can come true and that he’s back. Molinari finished tied-fifth and has not been the same player since. In his 14 tournaments since, he hasn’t challenged for the victory once really.
His 2020 campaign began in the same poor fashion with missed cuts in his first three events and just a 53rd place finish in the 72-player WGC-Mexico Championship. The 37 year old last week blamed his poor form on “a few physical thingsand a few technical things” that were perhaps to blame.
However, he pulled out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a back injury this week so it’s unclear whether Molinari will actually compete at Augusta or not. He’s now plummeted to World No.28 but he was 7th in the world two years ago. It will be intriguing to see how he recovers and gets back to his best which all golf fans would love to see.
Molinari’s marvellous achievements in 2018
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- Crowned the BMW PGA Championship winner
Congratulations @F_Molinari!
Your 2018 #BMWPGA Champion.#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/7GYeKpYf03
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 27, 2018
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- Victorious in the Quicken Loans National which is his first win on the PGA Tour
The first Italian to win on the @PGATOUR since 1947! Francesco Molinari took home the Quicken Loans National with a phenomenal Sunday 62 #TeamIMG 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Iq79iE0MH4
— IMG Golf (@IMGgolf) July 2, 2018
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- Win his first Major and lifts the Claret Jug
🇮🇹 @F_Molinari “When I went to collect the Claret Jug, it felt like a lifetime achievement.” 🏆 pic.twitter.com/udEixt7gNC
— The Open (@TheOpen) May 29, 2019
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- Wins the Race to Dubai and is crowned European Number One
The final moment of an incredible season for @F_Molinari!#DPWTC #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/rNKGEWdRJJ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) November 18, 2018
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- Became the first European player to seal a perfect 5-0 record in the Ryder Cup in September
#TEAMEUROPE HAVE WON THE RYDER CUP BACK!!!!! pic.twitter.com/7Pgo7CrxFp
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2018
