24 July 2018, by: Gareth Rosslee

MOLINARI HOLDS NERVE ON MADCAP OPEN SUNDAY

An unflappable Francesco Molinari became Italy’s first ever Major winner by holding his nerve in a wild final round of the Open Championship.

Molinari went 37 holes without a bogey to land the Claret Jug – a special effort with the wind up and the Sunday pin placements wreaking havoc with the field.

Francesco Molinari saw off Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner to become the first Italian player ever to win a major ?#TheOpen #FrancescoMolinari pic.twitter.com/MkmvfdAWyd

— BET.co.za (@betcoza) July 23, 2018

TIGER HUNT

The back nine on Sunday and Tiger Woods stalks his way to the top of the leaderboard. One of the most magnificent sights in golf and the rest of the leaderboard – Molinari aside – were visibly shaken. It wasn’t ultimately to be for Tiger, but golf is quite simply better with Tiger in the hunt.

ENGLISH ROSE

When Justin Rose stood on the 18th tee on Friday he knew he needed a birdie to make the cut. He duly obliged. A course record 64 on Saturday and he was firmly in the hunt. Come Sunday the Englishman knew another birdie would see him post the clubhouse lead. He duly delivered – his fourth birdie on 18 of the tournament – to give himself a real shout at the title. Brassy.

One shot away from missing the cut to a tie for second, you could say Justin Rose made the most of his weekend ? https://t.co/4DOVTrkHDJ ?#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/ra46632joO — The Open (@TheOpen) July 22, 2018

THE MCILROY EAGLE

With things opening up, Rory McIlroy banged in this 55-footer for eagle on 14. He went on to equal Rose’s 6-under clubhouse lead and set up a potential dream playoff.

Another look at that Rory McIlroy eagle putt.

The Rory of old ?

pic.twitter.com/aZ5zCRZQTE

— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) July 22, 2018

NERVES OF STEEL

Molinari played 17 to perfection and then stuck his approach on 18 to 10 feet. Naturally he rolled in the putt and left Xander Shauffele too much to do to catch him.

That Molinari approach on 18 though ? pic.twitter.com/4QUBhrCdtq — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 22, 2018

It was a truly sensational final round of the Open Championship, but what can we take from the action?

RYDER CUP LITMUS

Going into the final round and eight of the top twelve on the leaderboard were all Americans. The Yanks were on a run of five straight Major wins and it looked as if a sixth was on the cards. It was the Europeans who finished the stronger ending up with the Champion Golfer of the Year and three of the top five. Pointer?

FORM IS TEMPORARY

Or so the saying goes. Class might be permanent, but form won out this weekend with Molinari landing his third win in his last five starts worldwide. Considering how solid he’s been playing and his eight shot demolition of the field at the Quicken, his 37.00 starting price will feel like a bit of an oversight to most punters.

FORM IS TEMPORARY

Or so the saying goes. Class might be permanent, but form won out this weekend with Molinari landing his third win in his last five starts worldwide. Considering how solid he’s been playing and his eight shot demolition of the field at the Quicken, his 37.00 starting price will feel like a bit of an oversight to most punters.

THE BIG DUFF

A year ago and the sight of Jordan Spieth in the right rough organizing an unplayable lie and a fortuitous drop was the memorable moment of his Open win. This year an ill-advised 3 wood into a gorse bush and a stone cold putter saw him fluff his defence when many would have backed him to go and and win. No wins for over a year and a lack of confidence on the short putts is costing the young talent.

SAFFA TALENT

The performances of Erik van Rooyen (T17), Louis Oosthuizen (T28), Brandon Stone (T61), Shaun Norris (T61) and Zander Lombard (T67) shouldn’t go unnoticed after a great weekend for South African golf.

Van Rooyen (28) and Lombard (23) in particular stood out spending a lot of time in the mix. Lombard’s final round 82 saw him plummet down the leaderboard, but the experience gained will be invaluable and there’s hope that we can end a barren Major run in the near future.

TIGER’S BACK BABY!

It has been 10 years since Tiger Woods won a Major with numerous false starts, back-ops and more stunting his progress. But seeing him in the zone dressed in red on Sunday gives us plenty of hope that he’ll be throwing his name in the hat for a few years to come. Golf needs him!