Just 15 months after winning the Open together Francesco Molinari and his caddie Pello Iguaran have parted company – and in the Spaniard’s place comes another major-winning looper.
Molinari announced on Twitter that, after nearly four years together, the pair would be going their separate ways.
“Unfortunately relationships sometimes come to an end, even if it’s not what we wish for,” Molinari said. “Pello will always be a member of my team and more importantly my family. He’s one of the most hard-working, loyal, positive, reflective people I’ve come across during my career.”
Given the type of character Molinari is the decision won’t have come easy but things change and, given the nature of the looping business, often you are the first casualty of a dip in form.
Iguaran, who was on the bag for five wins as well as the Ryder Cup 5-0 heroics, was the first caddie from his country to help lift the Claret Jug and the pair would converse in Spanish.
But, despite nearly doubling up in the majors at this year’s Masters, the results have been in and out this year and their last outing resulted in a blank weekend in the Italian Open, the scene of their first victory together in 2016.
In his place comes Jason Hempleman, the pair have worked together before, and then Mark Fulcher will take over – ‘Fooch’ is best known for his 11 years on Justin Rose’s bag and can also boast a couple of majors with Rose’s victory at Merion as well as Alison Nicholas’ US Open win in 1997.
The Englishman had heart surgery earlier this year, returned at Augusta but then Rose was ‘forced’ into letting him go to let Fulcher “focus on his health and well-being after the heart procedure earlier this year.”
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Molinari, who turns 37 next month, will be back in action at the WGC-HSBC Champions in China.
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