Edoardo Molinari, elder brother of
2018 Open winner Francesco, scored a hole in one at the Italian
Open outside Rome on Thursday.
'Edo', who at 40 is two years older than the last Ryder Cup
star, holed out from the tee at the 219m par 3 seventh, sparking
loud applause.
He won a car.
Italy's only major winner Francesco Molinari, is doubtful about
a return to form at this week's 78th Italian Open after
struggling this season with a back problem that prevented him
from featuring in major tournaments, apart from a 13th place
finish in the US Open at the end of June.
But aiming for a win against big names like English pair Tommy
Fleetwood and former world no.1 Luke Donald is Italy's other
star, Guido Migliozzi, who is still basking in the afterglow of
his fourth-place finish at Torrey Pines on June 20.
Another former world no 1, Germany's Martin Kaymer, will be
gunning for success at the 2023 Ryder Cup venue just outside
Rome, the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club at Guidonia
Montecelio.
The younger and more famous Molinari said before the start: "two
years after the last time it's nice to return to the Italian
Open. Sadly physical problems have affected my season and I
don't come here with great expectations. I hope to rediscover my
best form soon and above all the continuity that has been
lacking, especially in training."
Piedmont-born Molinari, 38, had to skip the Olympics with the
back issue he first suffered at the PGA in May.
He said "missing the Olympics was hard. But now I look ahead and
hope, in 2024, to get to Paris (the Olympics) in the best shape
possible".
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