Magical Molinari motors to maiden PGA Tour win

by | | Tour

What happened at the Quicken Loans National?

It’s hard to believe that prior to this week, Francesco Molinari has never won on the PGA Tour.

At first glance, it was odd to see the Italian entered for the Quicken Loans National when the Open de France was being played over on the European Tour. Molinari is a course specialist at Le Golf National and surely he would have had a much better chance of winning in Paris, on a course where he’s finished runner-up three times in the past eight years.

It transpired that Molinari had his eye on the FedEx Cup and was in danger of losing his PGA Tour status; so, with Molinari already in a strong position to qualify for the Ryder Cup, he decided to play on the PGA Tour this week to boost his FedEx Cup position.

Well, it worked.

The 35-year-old put on an exhibition in how to close out a golf tournament by lapping the field at TPC Potomac to win by eight shots.

All eyes were on Tiger Woods who was in contention heading into the final round, but it soon became clear on Sunday afternoon that this was going to be Molinari’s week.

He went out in a modest 33, but he flicked the switch on the 10th tee, where he played the opening five holes of the back-nine in six-under-par to open up a huge nine-shot lead. Then it was just a case of strolling to the finish line with four straight pars.

He even had time to please the fans…

With a BMW PGA Championship win already under his belt this year, this is turning out to be a career year for the former Ryder Cupper.

Ryan Armour finished up in second, while Sung Kang, Woods and Abraham Ancer rounded off the top-five.

Full Quicken Loans National leaderboard

Talking point

The host, Tiger Woods, put in another strong performance this week in finishing tied for fourth.

But is he in a good position heading into The Open Championship? We discuss in Alternate Shot.

Best quote

Molinari:

I’m really proud of what I’ve done. It was not easy to skip Paris but I think I made the right decision.

Best moments

Read more

What’s in Rose Zhang’s bag?

What’s in Rose Zhang’s bag?

by Hannah Holden

March 31, 2023
Most Comfortable Golf Shoes 2023

Most Comfortable Golf Shoes 2023

by Jack Backhouse

March 31, 2023
FootJoy Traditions Golf Shoes Review

FootJoy Traditions Golf Shoes Review

by Tom Irwin

March 31, 2023
Adidas S2G Spikeless Golf Shoe Review

Adidas S2G Spikeless Golf Shoe Review

by Tom Bullough

March 31, 2023

PGA Catalunya Stadium PGA Catalunya Stadium

The NCG Top 100s Tour is heading to Europe for a multi-day event at PGA Catalunya. Prices start at £799 per golfer.

FIND OUT MORE

Subscribe to NCG

Bryson DeChambeau accepts brutal cut-off from Tiger Woods: 'It is what it is'

Bryson DeChambeau accepts brutal cut-off from Tiger Woods: 'It is what it is'

by Matt Chivers

Cameron Smith: LIV criticism is BS - we'll prove you wrong

Cameron Smith: LIV criticism is BS - we'll prove you wrong

by Matt Chivers

'No one is angry!' LIV stars deflect blame for PGA Tour hostility

'No one is angry!' LIV stars deflect blame for PGA Tour hostility

by Matt Chivers

Patrick Reed: Masters victory would 'validate' LIV Golf

Patrick Reed: Masters victory would 'validate' LIV Golf

by Matt Chivers