Francesco Molinari is one of the greatest Italians to have played the game, with a major championship among his ten worldwide victories.
Born in November 1982 in Turin, Molinari grew up with the game. Playing alongside older brother Edoardo throughout his youth, the pair were destined to reach the professional game. Francesco turned professional in 2004, shortly after graduating from the University of Turin, where he earned a degree in economics.
The Italian got his European Tour (now DP World Tour) card through Q-School for the 2005 season, and never looked back. His maiden victory came at the Telecom Italia Open a year later, becoming the first Italian to win his national open in a quartet of a century. He would win the tournament for a second time ten years later. Molinari has also won the BMW PGA Championship and a World Golf Championships event, but his biggest victory came at the 2018 Open Championship, where lifted the Claret Jug at Carnoustie. The win saw him become Italy’s first major champion in the sport – male or female.
He has also been successful on the team stage, as part of three victorious European Ryder Cup sides. He played alongside brother Edoardo at Celtic Manor in 2010, before securing the half point to give Europe victory at Medinah in 2012. Six years later, at Le Golf National, the Italian became just the fourth player, and first European, to win all five matches at a single Ryder Cup. Only Arnold Palmer, Gardner Dickinson, Larry Nelson and Dustin Johnson have achieved the same feat, all for the American side.
Francesco Molinari | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Francesco Molinari
Born: November 8, 1982
Nationality: Italy
Residence: Turin Italy / London, England
Career
College: University of Turin
Turned Pro: 2004
Professional Wins: 10
Highest World Ranking: 5 – September 9, 2018
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Masters Tournament – T5 (2019)
– PGA Championship – T2 (2017)
– US Open – T13 (2021)
– Open Championship – WON (2018)
Professional Wins – 10
2006 (1) – Telecom Italia Open
2009 (2) – Italian PGA Championship, Omega Mission Hills World Cup
2010 (1) – WGC-HSBC Champions
2012 (1) – Reale Seguros Open de España
2016 (1) – Italian Open
2018 (3) – BMW PGA Championship, Quicken Loans National, Open Championship
2019 (1) – Arnold Palmer Invitational
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Achievements and Awards
European Tour Race to Dubai Winner – 2018
European Tour Golfer of the Year – 2018
European Tour Players’ Player of the Year – 2018
BBC World Sport Star of the Year – 2018
Golden Collar of Sports Merit – 2018
Francesco Molinari | What’s In His Bag?
The Italian is a Callaway/Odyssey staffer, with all clubs in his bag coming from the brand, including a trio of Jaws Raw wedges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Francesco Molinari
When and where was Francesco Molinari born?
Francesco Molinari was born in Turin, Italy in November 1982, and took up the game from a young age alongside brother Edoardo.
When did Francesco Molinari turn professional?
Francesco Molinari turned professional in 2004 after graduating from the University of Turin with a degree in economics. He would make it on to the European Tour for the 2005 season.
How many DP World Tour titles has Francesco Molinari won?
As of 2025, Molinari is a six-time winner on the DP World Tour. He has won the Italian Open twice, along with a World Golf Championships event and the DP World Tour’s flagship tournament, the BMW PGA Championship. Molinari’s crowning moment was in 2018, though, as he won the Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Who is Francesco Molinari dating/married to?
Francesco Molinari is married to Valentina Platini, with the pair tying the knot back in 2007. The pair have two kids – Tomasso and Emma.
Did You Know?
Brotherly Love
Francesco is not the only professional golfer in the family. Older brother Edoardo is also a stalwart of the DP World Tour, and the pair played together at the 2010 Ryder Cup, a year after winning the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for Italy.
Ryder Cup Perfection
Molinari made history at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris by becoming the first European to win all five of his matches, four of them alongside great friend Tommy Fleetwood. Those points helped Team Europe to a comfortable victory at Le Golf National.
Major Breakthrough for Italy
Molinari’s victory at the 2018 Open Championship was a breakthrough for his country as he became the first Italian – male or female – to win a major championship.
Other Francesco Molinari Articles
Exclusive with Francesco Molinari: I’d love to be Ryder Cup captain
Francesco Molinari might have made the greatest ace ever seen at the US Open
Can Francesco Molinari return to his best and win more titles? Will he go on to be a great Ryder Cup captain? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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