Molinari Wins The Open, Tiger Falls Short
Italy's Francesco Molinari was spectacular on Sunday in his final round of The Open Championship in Carnoustie, Scotland, becoming the first Italian to win a Major Championship with a -8, two strokes ahead of runners up Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele, and three strokes ahead of Tiger Woods.
Being paired with Woods on Sunday, all eyes were on Molinari, who outplayed Tiger, and passed the likes of Jordan Spieth, Schauffeleand and Kisner who each began the final day three strokes ahead of him.
"Playing with Tiger was a challenge because of the crowds and everything,'' said Molinari after the victory. "Tiger himself was great today, really good sportsmanship with me. Obviously, there's a lot more people if you're grouped with him. I've done it before. I've played with him before in the Ryder Cup and in big occasions, so I knew what was coming and I was ready for it.''
Ready indeed.
Molinari never bogeyed on Sunday, or even Saturday, playing 36 straight holes on par or better.
"He played really solid today,'' Woods said of Molinari. "He hit a couple off shots, but winning it definitely was his short game. He chipped it beautifully."
Molinari, 35, climbs to 6th in the world rankings with his Open victory.