It really happened, it's not a dream. Francesco Molinari won the 147th Open Championship, the oldest major in the world, the tournament that every golf pro would like to conquer. He did it in Carnoustie on the most difficult course of the nine British circuits on which this legendary race is played. He did it spectacularly, outclassing Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth, all vying for the prestigious title. He did it in front of millions of television viewers, 172 live viewers and 1390 volunteers, in a Scottish town that seems to come to life from golf and where the XNUMX inhabitants all play. With this company Molinari, at 35, becomes the first Italian ever to win a major and enters history. Chicco, as friends and fans call him, is a kind of Ferrari of the golf circuit, a luxury car made in Italy, which today dominates the international scene. Probably with this result he will rise within the top ten of the ranking, but, as we've seen him play lately, he's definitely number one in the world. In the last few months he has won one tournament on the European tour, one on the American tour and one major. In the other two races he achieved two second places. Incredible. He has class, heart and head and even a degree in economics in the drawer, which he certainly won't need, but it demonstrates the grit of this little big man, kind and determined.
At Carnoustie Golf Links he finished 8 strokes under par, with four rounds of 70, 72, 65, 69. He started the last 18 holes three strokes behind the leaders and partnered Tiger who, on hole 10 he was at the top of the league and looked set to win his 15th major. And even that, we admit, would have been nice. Then the American phenomenon had two critical pits, while Francesco kept up the pace until the end, managing to impose himself with two birdies, the last one at 18. An emotion without comparison for the Italian fans, because it is true that Costantino Rocca came just a hair's breadth from the finish line in '95, but then lost in the playoffs.
Seconds, two strokes away, they placed Rose, McIlroy, Kevin Kisner and young Xander Schauffele (23 years old). Fifth Tiger, while Spieth, who started from the leader, collapsed in the last lap in eighth position.
After thanking the family and his team (the coaches, the caddy, the manager) Molinari admitted: "I felt ready for this". And he showed, because he's always been master of the field and of the match, so he kissed the Claret Jug, the legendary cup of The Open, and raised it to the sky. On the other hand, his name will forever be engraved on that silver trophy.
