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].
Tournament of Champions: the PGA Tour’s calendar-year starts, as it has done since 1999, with this iconic event in Hawaii. The field is drawn from players who won a PGA Tour event in 2022, or were amongst the top 30 in last year’s FedEx Cup final standings (Jan 6-9).
Desert Swing: the European (DP World) Tour launches into 2023 with three events in its UAE “Desert Swing”. Up first is the Abu Dhabi Championship (Jan 19-22), followed by the Dubai Desert Classic (Jan 26-29) and the Ras Al Kaimah Championship (Feb 2-5).
Kathy Whitworth: the end of 2022 saw the passing of LPGA Tour legend Kathy Whitworth. Her 88 LPGA Tour victories is more than achieved by any other golfer on either the LPGA or PGA Tours. Amongst her victories were six major championship titles.
Barry Lane: the golfing world was also saddened by the passing of Barry Lane, one of the European Tour and European Senior Tours most popular players. Enjoying success on both Tours, Lane was know for his excellent ball-striking and amiable personality.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Costa’s "Cruise & Golf" allows golfers and their families to combine a unique golfing experience with the relaxation and fun of a cruise on board Costa Smeralda. Golf enthusiasts are offered a choice from 23 top-quality golf clubs; their chosen courses are played during the ship’s port calls in Italy, France and Spain. While the golfers are driving the fairways, accompanying non-golfers are able to enjoy the amenities and activities on-board, or explore wonderful places on day excursions organised by Costa. Read more ...
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