Francesco Molinari Putts His Way to First PGA Victory

Francesco Molinari put on a masterful performance at the Quicken Loans National, just outside of Washington D.C., in Potomac, Md., where he set the tournament record, finishing -21 (under 259) and winning by 7 shots. Molinari won by 8 shots over Ryan Armour, matching the largest margin of victory on the PGA Tour this year.His first PGA Tour win was his lowest 72-hole score in his career, and the confidence in his putter was center stage.

The Round of his Career Fueled by a Masterful Putting Clinic 

On the final Sunday, Francesco started by making a vital 15-foot par save on the 9th hole, rolling it dead center into the hole to hold a 3 shot lead. On the 10th, Molinari sunk a 50-foot eagle putt. After a beautiful iron shot on 11, he rolled in another birdie putt, and one the analyst call the hardest par 4 on the PGA Tour. Three more birdies, and Francesco opened up a 9 shot lead on his way to his first PGA Tour victory. 

"It was a lot easier than I thought,'' Molinari said with a wide grin. "I played great. The start of the back nine was incredible.''

First Italian Born to win a PGA Tour Event in 71 Years

Franceco Molinari not only set tournament and career records on Sunday at the Quicken Loans National, he ended a drought of Italian born players winning on the PGA Tour - of 71 years.  

“It’s truly a remarkable win for Francesco and Bettinardi Golf. With the dominance he displayed, the confidence he has with his putter this year, making 120 ft of putts in the final round on the way to setting a course record, and being the first Italian born to win a PGA Tour event in 71 years, with my family’s Italian heritage, it's a major like win feeling for us.” - Robert J. Bettinardi

Up Next for Molinari

Francesco Molinari moved up to 16th in the World Golf Rankings after a dominating victory. With his second win in just a few weeks (BMW Championship, T2 at the Italian Open), Molinari will stay in the states to play in the John Deere Classic next week, and is a lock to be named a member of the 2018 European Ryder Cup team this fall.