Francesco Molinari

Francesco Molinari's Early Life and Background

Francesco Molinari's passion for golf started as a young boy at the Circolo Golf Torino in his hometown, where he developed his skills and established the foundation for his future success. As a junior player, Molinari demonstrated talent and commitment to the game, gradually gaining recognition among Italian golfing communities.

Molinari furthered his golfing journey in the United States, attending the University of Turin and competing for the college golf team. His experience in the US collegiate golf system was crucial to his growth as a well-rounded player.

In 2004, Molinari turned professional, embarking on a career that would see him climb the ranks and become one of Italy's most accomplished golfers. He initially competed on the European Tour, claiming multiple victories, demonstrating his skill and consistency. Molinari's breakthrough moment on the global stage came in 2018 when he won The Open Championship at Carnoustie, securing his first major championship title.

Francesco Molinari's Amateur Golf Career

After winning the Italian Amateur Stroke Play Championship twice and the Italian Match Play Championship in 2004, Molinari turned professional later that year as an amateur.

Francesco Molinari's Professional Career

In 2005, Francesco Molinari earned his European Tour card through a successful stint, marking the beginning of a promising professional golf career. Despite finishing 86th in his rookie season, Molinari quickly made his mark on the European Tour. The turning point came in 2006 when he secured a historic victory at the Telecom Italia Open, becoming the first Italian to achieve this feat since 1980. This triumph propelled him to a 38th-place finish on the Order of Merit, signalling his emergence as a formidable force in European golf.

Between 2007 and 2009, Molinari's game consistently improved, with an impressive tally of twenty top-10 finishes, including three runner-up positions. His performances resulted in a 60th-place finish on the Order of Merit in 2007, followed by an ascent to 24th in 2008 and a commendable 14th in the Race to Dubai 2009. Molinari's stellar play in October 2009 saw him break into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time. Shortly thereafter, he achieved a significant milestone by leading Italy to its first World Cup victory at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China alongside his brother Edoardo.

2010 marked a defining moment in Molinari's career as he secured victory at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, China. Outdueling Lee Westwood by a single stroke, Molinari's impressive performance elevated him to 14th in the Official World Golf Ranking, the highest position he had attained in eight years. Additionally, he represented Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup, where he faced Tiger Woods in a singles match on the final day, ultimately losing by 4 and 3. Despite this individual setback, Europe emerged victorious, overcoming the United States with a score of 14½–13½. Molinari concluded the year ranked 21st in the Race to Dubai, solidifying his standing among the elite in European golf.

The momentum continued in 2012 when Molinari claimed his third European Tour victory at the Reale Seguros Open de España. A remarkable final round, featuring a 65 (−7), secured him a three-stroke victory over Alejandro Cañizares, Søren Kjeldsen, and Pablo Larrazábal. Later that year, he found himself in a playoff at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, narrowly losing to Jeev Milkha Singh on the first playoff hole.

Molinari's consistent play earned him an automatic selection for the 2012 Ryder Cup, where he contributed to Europe's comeback victory. Despite losses in the foursomes and four-balls, he managed to secure a crucial half-point against Tiger Woods in the singles match on the final day, helping Europe retain the cup. The Italian golfer's contributions played a vital role in Europe's 14½–13½ win over the United States.

The following years, 2013 and 2014, did not see Molinari clinch any tournament victories, but his sustained presence in the top fifty of the Official World Golf Ranking allowed him to participate in several PGA Tour events as a non-member. Notable among his achievements during this period was a 6th-place finish at the 2014 Players Championship. These consistent performances earned him a full PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season.

Between 2015 and 2016, Molinari continued to showcase his skills on both the European and PGA Tours. In September 2016, he made history by becoming the first Italian to win his national Open twice, securing a one-shot victory over Danny Willett at the 2016 Italian Open. His presence in the upper echelons of European and American golf was further highlighted by runner-up finishes at the 2015 Open de España and the 2016 Open de France. In the U.S., Molinari achieved a 3rd-place finish at the 2015 Memorial Tournament and notably recorded a hole-in-one at the iconic 16th hole of the Waste Management Phoenix Open in the same year.

Molinari's fifth European Tour title and his first in the prestigious Rolex Series came in May 2018 at the BMW PGA Championship, the flagship event of the European Tour. A flawless final round secured a two-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy. This win placed Molinari on par with Costantino Rocca for the most European Tour victories by an Italian. Later in 2018, Molinari's dominance extended to the PGA Tour as he secured a commanding win at the Quicken Loans National, shooting a remarkable 62 on Sunday to claim an eight-stroke victory. This victory marked a historic moment as Molinari became the first Italian to win a PGA Tour event since 1947.

The pinnacle of Molinari's career came at the 2018 Open Championship, where he emerged victorious with a score of -8. Paired with Tiger Woods in the final round, Molinari displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious title. The triumph at the Open Championship propelled him to the sixth position in the Official World Golf Ranking, the highest of his career at that time.

In September 2018, Molinari qualified for the European team for the 2018 Ryder Cup, and he delivered a stellar performance by becoming the first player in Ryder Cup history to go 5-0-0. Paired with Tommy Fleetwood, the duo won all four four-ball and foursome matches, and Molinari also secured a victory in his singles match against Phil Mickelson. Europe triumphed over the U.S. team with a score of 17½–10½, further establishing Molinari's legacy in Ryder Cup history.

On November 18, 2018, Molinari secured another significant accolade by winning the season-long Race to Dubai title on the European Tour. The victory came with a prize of $1,250,000, showcasing Molinari's consistency and excellence throughout the season. A month later, on December 16, 2018, he received the 2018 BBC World Sport Star of the Year award, a prestigious recognition that was formerly known as the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year. Molinari became the first Italian athlete to receive this esteemed award, highlighting his impact on the global stage.

Continuing his impressive form, Molinari started 2019 with a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, marking his third career PGA Tour win. In a remarkable final round, he teed off ten groups ahead of the leaders, trailing by five strokes. Molinari went on to make three birdies and no bogeys on his first seven holes. A chip-in for birdie on the 8th hole and four more birdies on the back nine, including a spectacular 43-foot putt at the 72nd hole, secured a final-round 64 and a two-stroke victory over Matt Fitzpatrick.

Francesco Molinari's Playing Style

Molinari is known for his playing style, combining accuracy, strategic understanding, and a composed demeanour on the golf course. He is exceptional with irons, which allows him to hit greens and position the ball near the pin consistently. Molinari's solid ball striking results from his fundamentally sound swing, contributing to his reliable and consistent performance. He is recognized for his thoughtful and strategic approach, especially in major championships where he has succeeded.

Molinari's calm demeanour is also an asset, as he remains composed under pressure, showcasing his mental toughness. To further enhance his performance and competitiveness in professional golf tournaments, Molinari has invested in improving his short game, focusing on putting and chipping.

Francesco Molinari's Caddie

Molinari's caddie for the 2018 season was Pello Iguaran, and the duo had a remarkable year. They won three tournaments, including a major at Carnoustie, and had two second-place finishes. Moreover, they went undefeated in the Ryder Cup that year.

Iguaran played a crucial role in keeping Molinari relaxed and calm during the final rounds of tournaments, which helped him achieve his overall success. Speaking about their win at Carnoustie, Iguaran said that consistent putting was the key, and they opted to play short from the tee to avoid bunkers and the windy conditions.

However, their collaboration ended when Molinari announced on Twitter that they were parting ways. Despite this, Molinari acknowledged Iguaran's contribution and praised him for being hardworking, loyal, positive, and reflective.

In the 2021 season, Molinari's caddie was Mark Fulcher, who had worked with Justin Rose for 11 years. Fulcher brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the partnership. Fulcher had to take a break from caddying due to heart surgery and later decided to part ways with Rose. However, it is still being determined why or when Molinari and Fulcher ended their partnership.

Francesco Molinari's Golf Journey

Francesco Molinari, born November 8, 1982, in Turin, Italy, has had an impressive and impactful journey in professional golf. He made a career breakthrough in 2018 when he won the prestigious title at The Open Championship. It was a significant achievement for him as he became the first Italian golfer to win a major championship.

Throughout his journey, Molinari has been characterised by consistency and resilience. He steadily climbed the ranks in European Tour events and gained recognition for his precision on the course. His dedication to the sport was evident as he refined his skills, eventually making a mark on the global stage.

One of his notable achievements is his pivotal role in Europe's victorious 2018 Ryder Cup team. In that event, he secured five points out of five matches, showcasing his prowess in team play.

Francesco Molinari's success is a testament to his talent and reflects the growing influence of international players in the traditionally American-dominated golf scene.

Francesco Molinari's Majors

Francesco Molinari's Net Worth

Francesco Molinari is estimated to have a net worth of $18 million as of 2024, primarily earned from his golf winnings. He has also received significant earnings from brand endorsements. He earns 1.2 million USD per year through his golfing career. In 2018, he had his most profitable year, winning $5,065,842 in prize money, ranking 11th on the PGA money list. He has earned over 17 million USD through golf prize money.

Francesco Molinari's Ventures

Francesco Molinari has been sponsored by several brands throughout his career, including Callaway, Nike Golf, and Borne, a medical research charity.

Francesco Molinari's Assets

Molinari has invested a considerable amount of his wealth in real estate. He owns various properties, including a luxurious villa in his hometown of Turin and a stunning waterfront in Miami, Florida. These investments serve as valuable assets, contributing significantly to his net worth.

Francesco Molinari's Family

Molinari's father, Paulo Molinari, is a dentist who enjoys playing golf during his free time. He frequently took his sons to the golf course, which led Francesco and his brother to learn the game at an early age.

Like her husband, Francesco's mother, Micaela Molinari, works as an architect and loves playing golf. However, no further information is available regarding her.

Francesco's older brother, Eduardo Molinari, is a professional golfer who competes on the European Tour. He has attained three European Tour victories and a career-high ranking of 14.

Although the nationality of Francesco's parents is uncertain, as he was born in Turin, Italy, Paulo and Micaela are likely Italian. Nonetheless, an official confirmation has yet to be made regarding their nationality.

Francesco Molinari's Wife

Francesco Molinari has been married to Valentina Molinari since 2007. Molinari considers his wife a significant influence on his game. In fact, after winning the Open, he credited his wife for her unwavering support and dedication, saying that he couldn't have done it without her.

The couple, both originally from Italy, tied the knot in their home country before moving to England, where they currently reside.

Valentina obtained her MBA from the European Business MBSC in London and used to travel frequently with her husband. She was seen at the 2018 DP World Tour Championship, where Francesco won the Race to Dubai championship. The couple has two children, Tommaso and Emma.

Francesco Molinari's Cars

Unfortunately, there is no information on Molinari’s car collection.