Francesco Molinari returns to the field to defend the title conquered last year in the BMW PGA Championship, the most prestigious race of the European tour. It is the fourth of eight Rolex Series events and takes place between today and Sunday at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England. No Italian has ever managed to win this coveted tournament twice in a row, but the incomparable Chicco has now accustomed us to historic feats. In May 2018 his best season started from here, after the success of Wentworth the first trophy on the American tour arrived in succession, a major, the Ryder Cup, with the record 5 points out of 5 matches played, and a place among the top ten players in the world. Today the Turinese is number nine and can't wait to defend his crown as king of London and climb further positions in the ranking.
“The week of this race – he says – has always been special for me and last year everything became extra. I have wonderful memories, from the duel with McIlroy to the moment I was able to get my hands on the trophy. This victory was the key to what happened next, from success in the USA to the Open Championship in a crescendo that led me to the Ryder Cup. I'm sure that when I stop playing I will remember 2018 as a fantastic season. It will be hard to repeat myself as I set a very high standard, but I will leave no stone unturned to try again. As for the match, it will probably be different to play it in September than in the past, but I hope there will always be the same large audience". In fact, the challenge has been postponed to the end of the season, compared to previous years in which it was played in the spring and the players will have to compete with a probably different terrain and climate.
It will be a captivating show, also because the actors called upon to interpret him are great protagonists, starting with Rory McIlroy, world number two, who last year lost the challenge with Molinari, finishing second just two strokes behind the Italian. There is also a lot of expectation for Shane Lowry, who gets back into the game after winning the 2019 Open Championship. The Irishman will also be present at the Italian Open, scheduled from 10 to 13 October at the Olgiata in Rome. Among the big names we find Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Matt Wallace, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Bernd Wiesberger, Paul Casey. Maybe Justin Rose after a knee injury. Four Americans: Patrick Reed, Billy Horschel, Tony Finau and Andrew Putnam. There are six Italians: in addition to Francesco there are his brother Edoardo Molinari, Andrea Pavan, Renato Paratore, Guido Migliozzi and Nino Bertasio. They may hold surprises from the great oldies, such as Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez, the latter still tops the over-50s tour.
To follow the Norwegian Viktor Hovland, 22 years old, revelation of the PGA Tour where he equaled the 2001 record of Bob Estes, making 17 consecutive rounds under 70 strokes in a total of 20 in a row under par in the last five races in which he finished fourth, tenth, 16th and twice 13th with an overall score of 75 under par.
In the BMW PGA Championship, the first points for the classifications that assign the rightful places for the Ryder Cup 2020 are up for grabs. In the first two rounds Francesco Molinari will play with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. The prize pool is seven million dollars.
