Magical Molinari motors to maiden PGA Tour win

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 10^th 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…

Walking to the 18th hole with an 8-shot lead.

But first ? pic.twitter.com/9fUf5sKjXQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

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

✅ 8-shot win
✅ First PGA TOUR victory
✅ Final-round 62 (ties tournament course record)

Total dominance for @F_Molinari at the @QLNational!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/iJe6e6qYdQ

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

One final fist pump.@TigerWoods' final-round 66 leaves him at solo 5th.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/TbETWhT5fi

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

He can't miss! ????@F_Molinari has extended the lead to eight.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/EwKkMAVIIx

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Back-to-back birdies for @TigerWoods.

He's now T5 with two holes left.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/4xo04bqI4z

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

This is getting ridiculous.@F_Molinari … leader by SIX.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/U9grDnNaIw

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Golf is hard.

Tiger is 8 back. pic.twitter.com/rwIdIujZwK

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

49 FEET! ?

What a putt by @F_Molinari.

The lead is now five. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/YNmzU1CSmm

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

He's moved up to T5.@TigerWoods played this hole to perfection.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/mQOmq3aBzo

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Rock solid.@F_Molinari has only made two bogeys all week.

He remains ahead by 3. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/KM0NONeMf2

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Perfect putt.@F_Molinari now leads by THREE.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/VCDKIysQY6

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

pic.twitter.com/OlCWKAOlIC

— Skratch (@Skratch) July 1, 2018

Back-to-back birdies and it's getting loud.@TigerWoods is making a charge. ??#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/40jXNXUvbP

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Tiger SLAMS in the birdie putt.

Here come the fist pumps.

T7. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/fvJcfRFnKK

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

Ranks for @F_Molinari this week …
1st in Putts (GIR)
1st in SG: Tee-to-Green
1st in SG: Approach-the-Green

Oh, and he leads by 2. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/bUfRfwtY1O

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018

"Anything on the green here would be really good."

How about 3 feet? @TigerWoods with a birdie. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/jMf2V0daNp

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 1, 2018