Just a few months ago most Americans... including many who consider themselves ardent golf fans... knew nothing of the Molinari brothers. And if asked to name an Italian golfer they'd likely need to refer to the Google.
Some however, would remember the 1995 Open Championship, when Constantino Rocca, a wonderfully demonstrative Italian, sank a 60 foot putt on the 18th at St Andrews to make the birdie he needed force a play-off with... John Daly. And while JD ultimately won the Claret Jug that year, Rocca's reaction to the implausible putt is considered one of the most memorable ever.
The former caddy is the only Italian to ever play in the Ryder Cup. He appeared in 1993, 1995 and 1997, and had a 6-5-0 win-loss-half record, including 1 win and 2 losses in singles matches. That one singles win came in a crucial match against Tiger Woods in the 1997 Ryder Cup at Valderrama, which Rocca won 4 & 2 to help Europe claim the cup. The victory against Woods was one of Woods' first losses in singles play. Rocca's 53% winning record in the Cup is one of the best in European team history.As for the Molinaris, they list Constantino Rocca as a major inspiration, as does their coach Alberto Binaghi.
I first "discovered" the impressive brothers from Turin in late November when they won the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup together. I've written about them a many times since ... because, well, they've done some impressive things over the past six months. And with Edoardo's win at the Barclays Scottish Open yesterday... and Francesco's fourth place finish there... the Molinaris are in line to become the first brothers to play together in a Ryder Cup Championship since Bernard and Geoffrey Hunt almost 40 years ago.
Which would be just one more milestone in the fraternally fabulous careers of Edoardo and Francesco Molinari.
Photos: Getty Images, Harry How --- Andrew Reddington
It's been fun to follow their successes. Edouardo even got picked for Hubbie's Fantasy golf team—a sure sign of making it big. :o)
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ReplyDeletewell i remember from westchester NY, we had many "italian" golfers, starting with sarazini (sarazen) and including turnesea, manero, and up to today with franchella
many started at prestigious country clubs as caddies and maintenance workers in their early years and learned the game from there
but as was the way of society back then, they were prohibited from joining as members, until of course, relatively recently
ciao !
frankD
ft lauderdale
The Molinaris are the kind of "feel good story" golf needs right now.
ReplyDeleteNeither of the brothers is on the PGA Tour right? Do you think either of them will ever join the PGA Tour? I don't know how those decisions are made or what the criteria is.
ReplyDeleteAs Anon said, there were many Italian American golfers with roots in the metro NY area. I can proudly say my Dad was a top flight golfer in Sarazen's era and in the period right after. Somehow unfortunately, those genes did not reach me. Oh well. There were seven Turnesa brothers who were well known golfers and they went several generations deep. Glad to see you mentioned Meaghan Francella, who is having a pretty good year on the LPGA tour.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the Molinaris play at least a year or two full time here in the states. Don't forget Italian American Chris DeMarco has had his PGA moments and Rocco Mediate gave Tiger all he could handle and then some in a great duel in the sun!!
You guys are forgetting my favorite Italian-American golfer, Freddy Copolla!!!
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