Francesco Molinari is keen to join the European Ryder Cup team in this fall.
It would be a unique opportunity for Molinari to represent Europe on home soil. This would also mean that he would have found form 5 years ago, when he won the Carnoustie major championship.
His start at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Yas Links in United Arab Emirates, is a confidence booster. However Molinari knows that there’s still plenty of golf to play. After the second round, he was tied for first with Guido Migliozzi at 10-under. He is looking for his first win in four year and a boost to get back on the Ryder Cup team.
Molinari stated, “I don’t want to get ahead on myself.” It’s only a few good rounds, but I know where I’m going. The game feels different, as I mentioned yesterday. It looks very different to me, too. It’s only two rounds so we have a long way yet.”
The Ryder Cup will be held at Marco Simone, Rome, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
After a string of three wins in 2018, Molinari’s game dropped. He was once ranked fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking. He’s now at 166. After playing in three previous editions, he didn’t make it to the European Ryder Cup Team in 2021.
He’s now in a strong position to make the team after consecutive 5-under 67s that began in Abu Dhabi. His brother Edoardo will also be the assistant captain for Europeans.
What a way to finish @F_Molinari #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/TWlNpm4Av3
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour January 20, 2023
Molinari stated, “I think you don’t really need my answer. It would be amazing (to be part of the team).” There are still many months. This is a great way to begin the season. It was not necessary to pick for any of my three Ryder Cups. I would prefer not to have to pick this year.
Migliozzi shot Friday’s 3-under-69 to add to his 7-under 65 opening round. Jason Scrivener was a shot ahead of the pair.
Oh @guidomigliozzi #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/QYCBAvnNEk
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour January 20, 2023
Luke Donald, 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain, shot 3 over, and is currently T-22
