Potomac — Sweet-swinging Francesco Molinari "executed the plan perfectly" to clinch a first PGA Tour title in style by taking control on the back nine as he stormed to an emphatic eight-shot victory at the Quicken Loans National in Maryland on Sunday. Molinari matched the course record with an eight-under-par 62 in the final round at TPC Potomac to become the first Italian winner on the US-based circuit since Toney Penna in 1947. Swinging with metronomic precision, the two-times European Ryder Cup member stamped his authority on the field with a 50-foot eagle putt at the par-five 10th, before streaking further clear with four consecutive birdies from the 11th. He finished on 21-under 259, while American Ryan Armour shot 68 to finish a distant second on 13-under. "It was a lot easier than I thought," Molinari told CBS television. "I played great. The start of the back nine was incredible. Really proud of what I’ve done and I hope a lot of guys back home were watching." His triumph vi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.