Never let your guard down when Edoardo Molinari takes the field, because the 33-year-old from Turin is always capable of surprising. We had thought that the Joburg Open, underway at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, was a minor event and that Edoardo, back from a stupendous performance in Dubai (ninth), would participate above all to keep fit. But no. The Italian engineer who, as a profession, chose golf, took the lead on the first day and after 36 holes he still leads the rankings, putting himself in pole position to win the title and above all the qualification for the British Open. And his rivals are not second-class golfers, starting with Charl Schwartzel, nine-time winner on the tour, world number 18, 2011 Masters champion.
Edoardo is obviously hungry for the game and for victories, after the long fast he was forced to undergo due to two operations, one on his wrist and one on his left hand, with the consequent slipping from position number 20 in the world, to 220. Bitter mouths for a sportsman, which however did not spoil the appetite for laurels of this intelligent and determined boy. Perhaps, to a certain extent, even Henrik Stenson's redemption inspired Dodo and confirmed to him that golf, if practiced with seriousness and dedication, can give the expected satisfactions. Like Siddartha we must wait, meditate, fast. Molinari, among other things, has one of the most important weapons of this sport on his side: the putter. Golf is a game of concentration, where spectacular 300-metre shots count as much, if not less, than that one-metre stretch that separates the ball from the hole and which always marks the distance between the champion and the mediocre.
Edoardo already has a palmares that demonstrates what he's made of, with two victories on the European Tour and a world cup paired with his brother Francesco Molinari. His best performance remains the 2010 Scottish Open where, with a spectacular finish and with some putts placed in the hole in the decisive moments, he managed to win and conquer the wild card for the Ryder Cup. impression of being in the presence of a champion with a great future. Then fate had its hand and various physical problems. This season, however, begins with the right rhythm.
We don't know how it will end in South Africa, but the impression is that we have found a great player again. Molinari himself shows full confidence in his game: “there are still two rounds ahead – he says – but I really like the way I'm hitting the ball. It is important to continue like this”.
A good placement in this tournament is important because it can qualify for the 143rd Open Championship which will be held at the Royal Liverpool from 13 to 20 July. The standings currently see Edoardo Molinari in the lead with -11, flanked by Craig Lee with the same score. Tonight everything could have changed and tomorrow we decide. In short, there are 36 holes to follow and to suffer. It should not be forgotten that Lorenzo Gagli is also on the field for Italy, who is having a splendid tournament and, for now, is 18th at -8; Francesco Laporta (-1); Andrea Pavan (+1); Marco Crespi (+3). Up for grabs are 1 million and 300 thousand euros, of which 206 thousand euros for the first.
