Francesco Molinari believes Europe can win Ryder Cup in US even without ‘Moliwood’

Piers Morgan plays a round of golf with Dan Walker

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Francesco Molinari has expressed his belief that the Europeans are capable of winning the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in September, even if he isn’t there to form his famous partnership with Tommy Fleetwood. Molinari is unlikely to be selected for this year’s event after struggling for fitness and form over the last two years.

When Europe faced the US at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018, he became the first European ever to win all five of his matches over the course of the weekend as Europe romped home to victory.

Four of those wins came alongside Fleetwood, with the pair affectionately given the moniker ‘Moliwood’ during their remarkable run in France. 

Results have been hard to come by for the Italian star in 2021, as injuries took their toll and he failed to replicate the form which made him a contender at a number of majors in 2018 and 2019, including the British Open in 2018 which he won. 

As a consequence, Molinari finds himself way outside the qualifying places with just three events to go before the historic Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.

His very slim hopes of making the squad are reliant on securing a captain’s pick from Padraig Harrington. The Irishman, a three-time major champion, is taking charge of the European team for the first time.

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Speaking to the PA news agency before the Omega European Masters, Molinari was confident that the team had more than enough talent to win the competition, and that his partner Fleetwood would cope just fine without him

He also remarked that he was disappointed to likely not make the team this year, and expressed his desire to return to the set-up in the future.

The 38-year-old said: “The team is looking strong. There’s a couple of new faces that are really talented players.

“Padraig I’m sure is going to be a very thorough captain and hopefully, although they might go in without being the favourites as often has been in the past, they will be able once again to turn it over during the three days.

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“It will be very disappointing not to be involved but it’s something I missed between 2012 and 2018 so I’ve been there in the past. 

“It’s not pleasant, but it’s definitely motivating to do better and play better golf to try and get back in the team.

“I think Tommy will be fine. He’s the kind of player that is very easy to pair with other people, but if I’m not there I’ll make sure to phone him every night to keep him in the right frame of mind.”

Molinari also spoke about the difficult experience of having to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he had been excited to represent his country. A back injury ruled him out of the tournament in Japan.

Molinari said: “It was very frustrating because I was looking forward to Tokyo.

“It was disappointing to say the least. 

“It’s kind of the story of the season for me, being so stop-start. Since then I played two rounds at Wyndham and the last few weeks I’ve been practising at home with no issues, so fingers crossed it’s all behind me from now on.”

The Ryder Cup gets underway on September 24, with Europe looking to win it for a fifth time in the last six editions.

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