Over the past 10 months, Francesco and Edoardo Molinari have made history numerous times.
It happened twice in one tournament when they won the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup last November. There they were the first pair of brothers AND the first Italians to ever win the event.
Then there was Accenture Match Play in February, where they became the first set of brothers to take part in a World Golf Championships event.
Writing about the Molinari brothers in early April, ESPN Golf Columnist Jason Sobel noted that they were about to become the first brothers in a decade to compete together in the Masters.And after Edoardo Molinari's extraordinary win at the Johnny Walker Championship today, the brothers are poised to become the first siblings to play together on a Ryder Cup Team in almost 40 years. Edoardo grabbed one of the Captain's pick spots today with his amazing Gleneagles victory, Francesco had already made the team, and both were inspired by Italian golf icon Constantino Rocca, who played on the 1993, 1995 and 1997 teams and is only Italian ever to make the Ryder Cup... till now.
I've written about the Italian siblings a number of times over the past year... so much so that some readers seem ready to attribute me with ownership of the prodigious pair, at least figuratively, as in: "you must be happy to see "your Molinari brothers" at the top of the leader board."
OK, wishful thinking. But I'm simply a fan, like an increasing number of other Americans, and of course I've been happy to see them doing well this summer because they're brothers, which is heartwarming, and because they come from an awesome country where there's extraordinary potential for golf to grow.So here's the deal: Two brothers win the World Cup AND compete together in a World Golf Championship event plus... two majors, AND play on the same Ryder Cup team... all within a one year period. That's certainly a fraternal feat for the golf history books.
Many are second guessing Colin Montgomerie's newly announced Captain's choices, but few are questioning the one called Molinari.
Photographs: Ian Walton/Getty Images
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ReplyDeletetoo bad Tuscany doesn't have a golf course they can promote for italian tourism
not that italians individually haven't had an impact on the game over the years on both sides of the atlantic, it's just italy isn't known for golf courses
too bad the emperors didn't play golf
frankD
ftlauderdalefla
Actually, Edoardo was the only one of Montgomery's picks that I thought was predictable. How can you split up the reigning World Cup team, especially when both members are playing so well and one has already made the team?
ReplyDeleteBTW, the Molinaris made history 3 ways at the World Cup --
1) first brothers to win
2) first Italians to win
and therefore
3) first Italian brothers to win
Give 'em their full due, Patricia! ;-D
As an American of Italian heritage I find it impossible not to pull for the Molinari brothers, but of course I want the US to hold onto the trophy. For that reason it's probably a good thing I won't be in the stands at Celtic Manor. I would be torn.
ReplyDeleteCan I borrow one of your Molinari brothers for a couple of golf lessons? ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to play golf in Italy. With one or more of the Molinari brothers if possible.
ReplyDeleteFrank, a friend of mine stayed/played here and loved it. Maybe we should head over to Tuscany and review it. ;)
ReplyDeleteAsh & Growl, I'll see if I can hook you up with my boys. ;)
I feel for Paul Casey and wonder what kind of impact this will have for him, and how it'll affect the decisions he makes in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see the brothers both get on though.
dear hot-ash
ReplyDeletewe would love to "play" between you!
you can bring the olive oil
cheers:-)
the brothers molinari
The way Edoardo closed out the tournament at Gleneagles was very impressive. They will be a force at the Ryder Cup especially as the weather was akin to how it will be in the UK in October. Windy and probably wet!
ReplyDeleteThese guys are so super talented - I'm looking forward to watching them at the Ryder Cup.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan. I watched the tournament this past weekend and I was impressed with both of them. Edoardo seems like the looser of the two. It seemed as though Francesco gets down on himself a little bit more. Probably because he was losing to his brother. Sibling rivalry is always tough.
ReplyDeleteI think they are going to do big things. They are best brother duo playing right now. I wonder if the Villegas brothers will have anything to say about that.
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ReplyDeletepatricia,
that sounds very inviting
i had the perfect excuse to golf italy when my brother lived there for eight years but never took advantage of it and, of course, i didn't know you then, or you could have easily talked me into it then
now however i hear european rental cars are generally too small for both luggage and golf clubs - so either you pack light or rent clubs
and no woman i know packs light
anyway be well
frankD
ftlauderdaleFLA
@ frankD & Patricia ... too bad we don't promote enough what we, in Tuscany, HAVE!
ReplyDeleteYou will be welcome in Tuscany which HAS golf courses such as Poggio dei Medici (which also hosted LET Italian Open in the past), Ugolino, Le Pavoniere, Argentario, Saturnia, Toscana Pelagone and the renewed Castelfalfi and many more ready for your best golf shots ;-)
I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Molinaris. The RC will be interesting. New talent on both sides.
ReplyDelete