The devastatingly accurate Italian, one of the most in-form players in world golf, enters this year’s Ryder Cup as a central figure for Thomas Bjørn’s European team - having topped the European Points List and the World Points List.
The reigning Open Champion has simply had the year of his life. His season really took flight at the BMW PGA Championship, where his steely composure came to the fore in overcoming four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy down the stretch at the first Rolex Series event of the 2018 campaign.
Just two weeks later, the younger of the two Molinari brothers – who both played a part in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Celtic Manor in 2010 – almost made it two wins in successive European Tour appearances at the Italian Open, but was beaten by a single shot by Thorbjørn Olesen in a thrilling finale.
The Turin native also happens to be a Le Golf National expert. Despite having not claimed a victory in Paris, he has three runner-up finishes there.
Not only that, Molinari is a big game player. He claimed his maiden Major Championship title while playing alongside the one and only Tiger Woods – while the half point that he earned against the 14-time Major winner in The 2012 Ryder Cup ensured Europe were the winning team in the Miracle at Medinah.
Watch out USA.
Age: 35
World Ranking: 6
Previous Ryder Cup Appearances: 2
Ryder Cup record (W-L-T): 0-4-2
Worldwide wins: 7
Victories in 2018: 3
Top 10s in 2018: 6
Quote: “It’s going to be a great honour to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup again. One of the many benefits of winning The Open was that I knew then that I was going to be in the team so it has been a very enjoyable qualification for me this year. I think all of the guys will say the same - I am excited to be part of Team Europe again and will do everything I can to help Thomas and the Team try to win back the Ryder Cup.”
