Francesco Molinari rediscovers form to claim title in Abu Dhabi

Pennsylvania Golf Reporter Phil Casey

Former Open champion Francesco Molinari’s revival picked up pace as he took the lead at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi.

With his second straight 67 at Yas Links, Molinari finished at 10 under and was second only to compatriot Guido Migliozzi, who netted on the final three holes. Birdie, surrendered 69.

Molinari won three times in 2018, including the Open at Carnoustie and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, before becoming the first player to go 5-0 in that year’s Ryder Cup A European player with a perfect record.

The 40-year-old, who held a two-shot lead with seven holes to go in the 2019 Masters before his tee shot into Rae’s Creek on the 12th, hadn’t played a game since winning the Masters. Top three finishers in pole competition. The Arnold Palmer Invitational a month ago.

Molinari, however, was undefeated in last week’s Heroes Cup victory with the Continental and recovered from a three-shot miss in two holes to make six birdies in the inner half of the 30. .

“I’m very happy,” Molinari said. “Same score as Thursday, but a very different day. A lot more ups and downs than yesterday. A couple of three-putts, a couple of mental mistakes, but also a lot of good stuff, a couple of long putts.

“Obviously the back nine is very good, which is good. I think where I am at now, when you go through a tough time, it’s nice to see that I can pick it up again.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself. It was a couple of good rounds, but I know, I know where I’m coming from. The game feels different. I feel different looking too but, yes, it’s only two rounds and there’s a long way to go. way to go.”

Molinari’s obvious target this year is a fourth Ryder Cup appearance at home to Rome, admitting: “It will be incredible.

“It’s still a couple of months away. It’s obviously nice to start the season that way. I never needed picks for my three Ryder Cups, so it’s good to not need picks this year.”

Migliozzi, who is tied with Molinari on three and a half points from four matches in the Heroes Cup, was on par for the day until three fine attacks on the 16th, 17th and 18th produced birdies.

“It’s been a tough day in golf,” said the 25-year-old, who won his third DP World Tour title at the French Open last September. “But I stay focused, I try to stick to my game because I feel great on the golf course, I’m just waiting for some turning point.

“I saved that nice par on the 15th and then I felt better and I could pick up speed, put the gas on and hit some nice golf shots the last three holes. Those three holes were very, very tough because It was very windy. It was great to end like this.

“I’m looking at the leaderboard and I see captain Francesco Molinari is at the top. It’s going to be a great fight over the weekend, it’s a pleasure to play together.”

Australia’s Jason Scrivner was one shot behind the leaders after a second-round 70, and former Open champion Sean Lowry, who was two shots behind in the group, also had a 70.

Overnight leader and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald added 75 to his opening 64 and was five shots behind.