Francesco Molinari started his final round at Carnoustie with 13 straight pars but finished with two birdies over his final five holes to break out of a logjam and win the Open Championship with a final score of 8-under par.
Playing alongside Tiger Woods in the third to last group, Molinari carded a final-day 69 with 16 pars and two birdies. It’s was the Italian’s third win in his last six starts, which also includes a pair of runner-ups.
With his maiden major title, Molinari becomes the first Italian to win one of golf’s four major championships.
PRO-FILE
Nationality: Italy
Height: 5′ 8″
Weight: 160 lb
Birthdate: November 8, 1982 (age 35)
Native: Turin, Italy
Resides: London, England
College: University of Turin (Italy)
Primary Sponsor: Nike
Equipment: Taylormade
FINAL SCORES
1. Francesco Molinari -8 (70,72,56,69)
2. Justin Rose -6 (72,73,64,69)
2. Rory McIlroy -6 (69,69,70,70)
2. Kevin Kisner -6 (66,70,68,74)
2. Xander Schauffele -6 (71,66,67,74)
EARLY-ROUND JOCKEYING
ROUND ONE
1. Kevin Kisner -5 (66)
2. Tony Finau -4 (67)
2. Erik van Rooyen -4 (67)
2. Zander Lombard -4 (67)
18. Francesco Molinari -1 (70)
ROUND TWO
1. Zach Johnson -6 (69-67)
1. Kevin Kisner -6 (66-70)
3. Tommy Fleetwood -5 (72-65)
3. Pat Perez -5 (69-68)
3. Xander Schauffele -5 (71-66)
29. Francesco Molinari E (70-72)
ROUND THREE
1. Jordan Spieth -9 (-6)
1. Xander Schauffele -9 (-4)
1. Kevin Kisner -9 (-3)
5. Francesco Molinari -6 (-6)
HOW FRANCESCO MOLINARI WON THE OPEN
MOLINARI’S TOP-LINE STATS
Driving: 307.5 yards
Fairways: 26/60, 43.3%
Greens: 48/72, 66.6%
Putts: 27.5/111
MOLINARI’S SCORING
Par 3: E (2 Birdies, 8 Pars, 2 Bogeys)
Par 4: -2 (9 Birdies, 37 Pars, 5 Bogeys, 1 Double)
Par 5: -6 (6 Birdies, 2 Pars)
Aggregate Scoring: -8 (17 Birdies, 47 Pars, 7 Bogeys, 1 Double)
TOUR VICTORIES
Majors: 1
2018 Open Championship
PGA Tour: 1
2018 Quicken Loans National
European Tour: 5
2018 BMW PGA Championship
2016 Italian Open
2012 Open de Espana
2010 WGC-HSBC Champions
2006 Telecom Italia Open
MONEY EARNED
The victory earned Molinari $1,890,000 and 600 FedExCup points to move from 27th to 7th in the PGA Tour’s points standings.
WORLD RANKING
Molinari received 100 OWGR points for the win, and will move from 15th to No. 7 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
QUOTABLE
“I feel disbelief. It is amazing to be here with the Claret Jug. I knew I was coming in with good golf but my record here was terrible so I was not optimistic about the week. I did not want to think about it and just focus on hitting the shots.”
– Francesco Molinari
