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Hero World Challenge power rankings: Top ten at Albany

By Brandon Raper

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 04: Rickie Fowler of the United States putts on the 12th hole during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 4, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 04: Rickie Fowler of the United States putts on the 12th hole during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 4, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Francesco Molinari Hero World Challenge
SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 12: Francesco Molinari of Italy hits his second shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player CC on November 12, 2017 in Sun City, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Francesco Molinari continues to fly under the radar far too often, especially here in the United States. That’s surprising, especially considering how often he finds himself in contention deep in PGA TOUR events. In the 2016-17 TOUR season, the 35-year-old scored five top-ten finishes, and he finished second at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

To be fair, that was also Molinari’s most active season Stateside in his career. Making 21 starts, Molinari nearly qualified for the TOUR Championship in his third full season as a Tour member. That earned him his first invitation to the Hero World Challenge and it’s tiny but elite field.

Molinari has rested since the WGC-HSBC Champions at the end of October. It was his only action since the BMW Championship, so he was predictably a little rusty, opening with a 77 and never really getting on track.

I’m looking for Molinari to enjoy a bit of a refreshing week in the Bahamas, as Albany should fit his ball-striking game perfectly. Last season, Molinari ranked sixth on TOUR in driving accuracy, fourth in strokes gained: tee-to-green, and 12th in adjusted scoring. He’s an expert in windy conditions, and that will keep him in contention this week.

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