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The last time Francesco Molinari played a game of golf in the Ryder Cup, he found himself as an unlikely hero in Team Europe's "Miracle of Medinah". Today, six years later, he is appearing at the National Competition in France, the main flag bearer of European hopes.
Molinari is the best player in the European Ryder Cup standings and, after a number of good performances this year, he is one of the most formidable golfers in the world today. He won the BMW PGA Tour on the European tour this spring, then won the National Quicken Loans on the PGA Tour, and finished his first major with the British Open in July.
This was a remarkable increase that few people would have predicted.
It took Molinari ten years to win four victories on the European circuit before 2018. This summer, he participated in a race during which he won three of six consecutive tournaments and finished second of two between them.
Thomas Bjorn, captain of the European team, told reporters at the end of this race: "In two months, he has probably realized what most European golfers want to do in their careers. He won the BMW PGA, he won in America and then the Claret Jug. It's very special.
Molinari attributes his new consistency to "working ugly" with Denis Pugh, his longtime coach, Dave Alred, his performance coach, and Phil Kenyon, his coach. The approach emphasized repetitive exercises, especially around the greens, with Alred building Molinari's psychological armory by not allowing him to move uncomfortably until the exercise was successful.
Bjorn said Molinari "cares only about his business, does it quietly and easily" and called him "one of the hard workers and good guys on the tour".
Where Molinari has always had a long strong game, improving his short game and his calm this year has raised him to a new level. Molinari's success may also have prepared him for another clash with Tiger Woods, who played what he calls "trend" in 2018 and won the championship on Sunday.
The two men faced off in singles at the 2010 Ryder Cup, with Woods winning, 4 and 3.
In 2012, in Medinah, Illinois, the European team was down, 10-6, and was entering the final day in singles. Woods and Molinari in the final couple. European players have won match after game, even shooting at the United States team. A victory for Woods would have had only equal results and ensured that the trophy remained in the hands of the European holders, but Molinari managed a half-victory to win an absolute victory in Europe.
Neither player has participated in a Ryder Cup since, and since long periods since 2012, they were unlikely to do so. Until late last year, Molinari seemed preoccupied with the modest goals of maintaining his ranking, and Woods is recovering from injuries and personal problems.
The two teams met this year with Woods – as the tournament's host – by presenting the Quicken Loans National Trophy at Molinari on July 1, and then in the final with Molinari while the Italian won the trophy. British Open a few weeks later.
At the time, Pugh described the symbolic significance of Molinari playing this last round with Woods.
"Tiger, 10 years ago, would have been a much tougher proposition, but even now the crowds are following him because he's the main man," Pugh said. "You have to accept that.
"I think he's the best golfer of all time and I think the best thing for Francesco was to play so well to win the Claret Jug in front of him. He has the map signed by Tiger Woods. It's a little more varnish.
Molinari's first breakthrough to a major can mark the last time he is hit by Woods or any other player. Team Europe expects him to be the star this weekend.
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