The planet’s most underrated player once more showed his stuff at the 42nd Ryder Cup.
Francesco Molinari is not flashy, doesn’t crush his drives 350 yards, doesn’t go crazy with fist pumps and other histrionics.
He’s simply the Quiet Assassin from Italy and he showed the world what he’s all about this past week at the 42nd Ryder Cup matches.
He went a perfect 4-0 with partner Tommy Fleetwood in the four-ball and foursomes matches then locked up The Cup for Europe in his singles match with Phil Mickelson.
There was no doubt Mickelson was overmatched against Molinari on Sunday — Mr. Scattergun vs. Mr. Straight Shooter.
It was surprising it actually took 16 holes for Molinari to get it done. He never trailed in the match and on the 16th tee, Mickelson appropriately hit his tee shot short of the green and into the water, handing the Ryder Cup to Europe when Molinari easily hit the green. It was over at that moment and Molinari posted a 4-and-2 beating of Lefty.
In the process, Molinari became the first European player ever to go 5-0 in the Ryder Cup.
Three others have done it for the U.S. team — Larry Nelson (1979), Arnold Palmer and Gardner Dickinson, both in 1967.
So you can see it’s been a long time since something special like this has taken place.
Which means that Molinari just keeps taking steps not to be the “underrated” guy.
He’s world class with his game and how he carries himself on the golf course.
No doubt he’s looking forward to the next Ryder Cup on European soil. The 2024 matches will be in his home country of Italy.
