International media outlets are
celebrating 36-year-old Italian golfer Francesco 'Chicco'
Molinari for becoming Europe's top player at the end of a season
that has seen him win titles worldwide, becoming the first
Italian major winner at the Open and also winning the Race to
Dubai.
After wins in England, Scotland, the United States and Dubai,
among others, US broadcaster ESPN called Molinari
"extraordinary" while Britain's Daily Mail hailed him as a
"star".
Shy and reserved, the Italian golfer is the stereotype of a
celebrity who doesn't act like a star, favoring action over
appearance.
And the Piedmont native can be considered part of a new wave
of Italian sport - an example of how sacrifice and a strong will
reap results even when things seem to go in the wrong direction.
He has never made controversial statements nor been at the
center of a scandal off the course.
Molinari, contrary to other champions, doesn't act like a
celebrity nor leaves room for criticism.
A photo posted to Instagram by the Turin native together with
his wife Valentina Platini - a lawyer and photographer with him
he shares two children, Tommaso and Emma - as he celebrates the
Harry Vardon Trophy is further evidence of the fact that
Molinari's family and training are at the center of his life.
And this is his recipe for winning.
The incredible achievement of Molinari is to be normal.
He is also setting an example for other athletes, showing
that a career in sport can be achieved together with a college
education.
With a university degree in business administration, the
golfer has always preferred other qualities to muscles.
Even if he was not particularly gifted physically, he built a
career with intelligence and method - a demonstration that it is
possible to become a champion even if you weren't born one.
Molinari is a privileged man and he has never hidden this
fact.
On the eve of the Dp World Tour Championship, which led him
to win the Race to Dubai, the golfer said he did "not feel any
pressure and that he is a lucky" man.
He has won throughout his career 35 million dollars in
prizes.
But he did not retire to enjoy life.
In 2018, he tested himself - despite the fact that he is not
particularly young for an athlete and that he had a disastrous
start to the season.
Through hard work and training, he eliminated the gap with US
golf stars.
He learned to make very few, if any, mistakes on the course.
The short game was his weak point and instead he turned it
into a key factor of his triumph.
Molinari crossed borders - and not just national ones.
He has exceeded the successes of tennis star Adriano Panatta
who in 1976 conquered the Italian international championships
and Roland Garros, contributing to the Italian tennis team's
historic victory in the Davis Cup.
Molinari has been living in London for the past few years but
has never forgotten Italy.
A fan of Milan's Inter football club, he also roots for West
Ham.
Soccer and his family are his true passions.
In 2018, he won the first major of his career (the Open
Championship) and beat four times legendary golfer Tiger Woods
in his European Ryder Cup triumph.
Through his success, he has put Italian golf under the
spotlight.
One of the protagonists of Italian sport this year, he sets
the example for young talents.
And Molinari does not mean to stop and, like all top
athletes, is looking ahead and dreaming of an exploit at Tokyo
2020.
Indeed the Italian athlete will be key for the Italian
edition of the 2020 Ryder Cup, an event on which Italian golf is
betting everything.
Meanwhile, Molinari has already won big time in 2018 with a
poker of successes - BMW PGA, Quicken Loans National, Open
Championship, Ryder Cup and Race to Dubai.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
