Francesco Molinari is hoping to continue his impressive Major form at this week’s US PGA Championship, as The Open Champion prepares to once again tee it up alongside recently-crowned Masters winner Tiger Woods at Bethpage.
The Italian played side-by-side with Woods at Augusta National as the American famously claimed his 15th Major title, and Molinari is unlikely be distracted by the hype around his playing partner in New York this week as the 2018 Race to Dubai champion looks to continue his purple patch at golf’s big four.
In his last six Major appearances, Molinari has claimed a win, a runner up, a top five and a top ten, his worst result in that time a tied 25th finish at last year’s U.S. Open. He has performed well in the last two US PGA Championships too, so the 36 year old will be quietly confident despite the daunting length of Bethpage’s Black Course.
“It’s just been a good relationship with this tournament, I guess, if you can call it that. I think I had my first top ten in a major at the US PGA, as well. Probably the setup of the courses suit me, it’s usually important to hit fairways and hit greens and it’s probably just the kind of courses and layouts that this championship has been played on I think that have suited my game well in the past. Hopefully I’ll keep that streak going this week.
“I guess you need more time really to digest everything from the last year. Fortunately things keep coming my way, and obviously I like it. I love and enjoy every single minute. ”
Justin Rose, meanwhile, will be hoping to end a 100-year winless streak for English player at this event as the World Number Two looks to bounce back from a disappointing Masters Tournament which belied a strong run of form in the opening months of 2019.
“I’m definitely happy with my form. But I’m also kind of working at it, as well. I think Charlotte was a nice bounce-back after Augusta for sure – a week where I worked hard at my game as well as being able to compete.
“I had a good week at home this last week. I felt like the preparation that I put in for Augusta didn’t go well, so I’ve tried to change it up a little bit coming in here. So I’m coming in a lot fresher. It’s a golf course that I know quite well here.
“So last week was about freshening up but also working really hard. Had all my team come down and practice with me at home. I’m feeling good, feeling ready, and looking forward to getting going tomorrow.”
