Olesen holds off Molinari to break Italian hearts
What happened at the Italian Open?
Thorbjorn Olesen fired a final round 64 to win the Italian Open on a thrilling final day at Gardagolf Country Club.
Olesen had made seven birdies in the round and headed to the final tee with a two-shot lead. In the group ahead, the home favourite Francesco Molinari drained a huge birdie putt to get within one shot.
The Italian, who typically exudes calmness on the course, broke into jubilant celebration and gave himself a chance of winning back-to-back Rolex Series events after winning last week’s BMW PGA Championship.
Olesen hooked his drive well left and found the right greenside bunker with his approach. It was simple: get up-and-down to win.
The bunker shot ran out to eight feet, where the Dane relied on his putter, yet again, to roll it in and win his fifth European Tour title.
Champion ?@Thorbjornolesen wins the #ItalianOpen on 22 under par ??#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/0VycA3cwwa
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Elsewhere, England’s Lee Slattery backed up Saturday’s 62 with a four-under-par 67 to finish solo third, Rafa Cabrera Bello finished fourth, while Ryder Cup vice-captains Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell made significant moves to finish tied for fifth alongside Andy Sullivan.
Best quote
Olesen on Molinari’s final birdie:
I was standing there and saw that great putt he holed, that put a lot of pressure on me.
Best moments
"It's been exciting hasn't it?" ? pic.twitter.com/eDxDsmgkg4
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Frankie at the last! ?
Wow. Within one again. pic.twitter.com/U54MFoyGx4
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Big moment.
Olesen moves two clear. One hole left…#ItalianOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/TWBAoKLXmz
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Frankie!
Tied for the lead ?? pic.twitter.com/WZMSpCxtjQ
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Incredible.
Slattery eagles to move within one…
…but partner Olesen birdies to move two clear ?https://t.co/FOtJ9qLdIu pic.twitter.com/n9pRXigtj9
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
That roar ?
Frankie Molinari is one behind Olesen.https://t.co/0nyq62teWF pic.twitter.com/mqVkJpQzIn
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Oh, Thunderbear! ⚡ ?
Olesen moves into the outright lead. Six to play. pic.twitter.com/fEeZ8XnCq8
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Joint-low round of the day ✍️
Will it be enough to win the #ItalianOpen?#RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/4pfbgJLFfz
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
54 years old.
Sunday 63.Miguel, people ✍️#ItalianOpen #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/sE8lpASjkt
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 3, 2018
Final Italian Open leaderboard
Dear PGA Tour, please stop – hang on, we’ve already done this
Tiger finally says goodbye to the last Nike clubs in his bag
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
