Francesco Molinari
Name:
Francesco MolinariCountry:
ItalyBorn:
Nov 8, 1982 in Turin, Piedmont region, Italy.Original/Home Club:
Torino GC (Circolo Golf Torino)Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
2004Website:
https://www.fmolinari.comAmerica
Mastercard
Played as the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 7-10). Second-placed Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Molinari (Italy), who recorded his third PGA Tour win, all of them coming in his last 12 starts on the Tour. [Bay Hill Club, Orlando, FL].
Europe
BMW
Played as the BMW PGA Championship (May 24-27; first of eight Eurpn Tr Rolex Series events, with prize fund now in US dollars). Second-placed Rory McIlroy (N.Ire) finished 2 shots behind Molinari (Italy), who recorded his fifth European Tour win. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].
Awards
Eurpn Tr
Francesco Molinari (Italy) won the 2018 Seve Ballesteros Award as the European Tour Players' Player of the Year Award, based on the votes of his peers.
America
Quicken Loans
Played as the Quicken Loans National (Jun 28-Jul 1). Second-placed Ryan Armour (USA) finished 8 shots behind first-time PGA Tour winner Molinari (Italy). Molinari shot a final round 8-under-par 62 to become the first Italian golfer since Toney Penna in 1947 to win a PGA Tour event. [TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, nr Washington DC].
Awards
Race to Dubai
Molinari (Italy) received the Harry Vardon Trophy and a US$1,250,000 bonus as the European Tour 2018 Order of Merit (Race to Dubai) winner. He accumulated 6,041,521 points during the season (points equate to euros won, with Eurpn Tr winnings paid in $ or £ converted to euros). Second was Patrick Reed (USA) with 4,713,351 pts, plus bonus of $750,000. Third was Tommy Fleetwood (Eng) with 4,399,755 pts, plus bonus of $600,000.
Awards
Hilton
Molinari (Italy) won the Hilton European Tour Golfer of the Year Award, determined by a panel of representatives from the European Tour and golfing media.
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (147th) (July 19-22). Second-placed Justin Rose (Eng), Rory McIlroy (N.Ire), Kevin Kisner (USA) and Xander Schauffele (USA) finished 2 shots behind 35-year-old Molinari (Italy), who recorded his first major championship win. [Championship Course, Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus].
Europe
x
Played as the Open d'Italia (Sept 15-18). Second-placed Danny Willett (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Molinari (Italy), who won his national open title for the second time. [Milano GC, Villasanta, Monza, nr Milan].
Europe
Reale Seguros
Played as the Reale Seguros Open de España (May 3-6). Second-placed Alejandro Cañizares (Esp), Pablo Larrazábal (Esp) and Søren Kjeldsen (Den) finished 3 shots behind Molinari (Italy). [Real (Royal) GC, Sevilla, Andalucia].
WGC
HSBC
Played as the WGC-HSBC Champions (Nov 4-7; co-sanctioned by world's leading mens professional tours). Second-placed Lee Westwood (Eng) finished 1 shot behind wire-to-wire winner Molinari (Italy). [Sheshan Intl GC, Shanghai, China].
Europe
Telecom Italia
Played as the Telecom Italia Open (May 4-7). Second-placed Anders Hansen (Den) and Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) finished 4 shots behind first-time European Tour winner Molinari (Italy), the first home-country winner of the Italian Open since 1980. [Castello Tolcinasco GC, Pieve Emanuele, nr Milan].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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