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The open championships at Carnoustie have developed an association with the macabre elements of golf. The last time the oldest major was introduced here, Sergio García was reduced to tears following the play-off defeat at Pádraig Harrington. The 1999 Open will forever be synonymous with the capitulation of Jean van de Velde during the 72nd session of the time.
Francesco Molinari has the insignificant consolation of the Claret Jug as a household accessory, since he can now be described as the man who killed Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy in a single gore act . Stewart Cink, who triggered sighs by ending Tom Watson's epic quest in 2009, is no longer dependent now.
For so long, Sunday afternoon, one of the most extraordinary stories of golf was played out. Tiger Woods, in the middle of his last personal and professional trauma return, led the Open. Suddenly, it was so true.
That the 42-year-old can not finish the claim of a 15th major, a decade after the arrival of number 14, owed more to Woods who hit the self-destruct button than the Disembarkation of Molinari's body shots discrete but there was still discouragement in the air of Carnoustie. There was not even the renowned backup option for Rory McIlroy or Jordan Spieth to soften the blow. Look what you could have won.
None of this, of course, should make us forget Molinari's last and greatest triumph. His precision under the most extreme of pressures was similar to that of a robot. The fact that he played in the company of Woods reaching a 69 without a bogey should only increase the appreciation of the achievement of the 35-year-old. The hometown of Molinari in Turin is generally famous for cars. Italy has a well-known passion for football. Another sport has delivered a new national hero; we can only hope that this is correctly recognized.
It was strange, in a way, that Molinari's success, eight-under-par, came from the relatively comfortable margin of two shots. It was a last day tense in strong winds, which was very early for the number of players with the top of the standings in sight. McIlroy, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner shared second place.
Rose's weekend match – he signed with a 69 – was fantastic. He had hit a long birdie putt on the 36th hole to survive the cut by one. Two days later, he stood with a hold in his hand, which was very similar to his Open debut 20 years ago. Rose pierced her approach at Birkdale; here he played the iron. "It brought back memories for sure," Rose admitted. "I thought," Can I do it again? "I almost did it."
Drama attached to Woods had started with his birdie on the 6th. A few moments later, Schauffele and Spieth dropped gunshots; Woods was in one of the leaders. At five minutes to five, Woods was the solo leader. Later, he played one of the tournament shots, a dangerous fairway bunker on the 10th and less than 20 feet from the hole.
11 was to prove Woods' carnoustie nemesis. Missing the green on the left should not have been a disaster, but his shot on the flop could not reach the putting surface. The double triggered bogey left eight players in a shot of the head. Woods played the last level stretch, his 71 and five under enough aggregates only for a tie for sixth with Kevin Chappell and Eddie Pepperell, who revealed the start of the fourth day with a hangover. Pepperell duly produced a 65.
A year ago, it was doubtful that Woods still plays competitive golf. A decade ago, he would never have failed to emphasize the benefit obtained here. "I'm a bit confused by myself," he conceded before leaving Scotland.
McIlroy's Sunday was neutral before the kind of special moment that so often separates him from the rest. The Northern Irishman converted a 70-foot eagle putt to the 14th, which suddenly catapulted him into a six-way tie for the lead. With an hour of play, the championship was wonderfully hard to call.
McIlroy does not really have a reason to miss a birdie chance at the last one that slipped into the past, given that Molinari finished two on his own. McIlroy denied some myths during the week, regarding his alleged inability to compete in firm places, windy places or when the rain beats to the wing. McIlroy turned the immediate attention to Molinari's eulogy. "He's a fantastic golfer and a good guy," said the 2014 champion.
Spieth, who debuted day 4 in share, derailed by a double boguey in the sixth by five. The Texan had to take a drop after landing his second shot in a bush. The defending champion did not reap another shot afterwards, with a bogey at 15 while finishing his hopes of keeping the Claret Jug. Spieth's 76 – the highest score of any player in the last eight groups on Sunday – brought him back to ninth. Spieth was clearly upset to be warned for slow play by tournament officials, midway through his last round. "I think I played the fastest golf I've ever played while playing a tournament," he said.
Thomas Bjorn, European captain of the Ryder Cup, led the immediate tributes to Molinari, a player now guaranteed to be part of the contingent in France this year. "Is it a man or a machine?" Asked Bjorn de Molinari. After five major successes for American players, this has boosted a continent of golf. Molinari came out of Woods' shadow; few players can claim that. Brillante Francesco.
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