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British Open 2019: Power ranking the top ten golfers at Royal Portrush

By Mike Randleman

PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 2: The Claret Jug is pictured at Royal Portrush Golf Club during a media event on April 2, 2019 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. The Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951 this summer between 18-21 of July. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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WISLEY, SURREY – JULY 02: Francesco Molinari of Italy is pictured with the Claret Jug Open trophy during a Francesco Molinari Media Day at The Wisley on July 02, 2019 in Wisley, Surrey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
WISLEY, SURREY – JULY 02: Francesco Molinari of Italy is pictured with the Claret Jug Open trophy during a Francesco Molinari Media Day at The Wisley on July 02, 2019 in Wisley, Surrey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

If it seems like Francesco Molinari has been quiet this year, it’s because he has.

But that’s not indicating poor play. The reigning Champion Golfer of the Year has been afforded the chance to keep a light schedule this year.

He’s been in the mid-20s in events played in recent years but will likely fall short of that with just 11 under his belt to date.

The Italian has done fine in his limited outings. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and has two more top-fives. He comes in off of four made cuts in a row including T-16 at the U.S. Open. Molinari opted for three weeks of rest coming into this week.

His Sunday comeback and elite ball-striking to earn him the Claret Jug during last year’s British Open at Carnoustie produced plenty of fanfare at the moment. Now it seems as if he’s back to sleeper status.

“Maybe part of it is my personality, not really caring too much about being in the spotlight,” Molinari was quoted by The Scotsman. “Part of it is being Italian. An American or British player is always going to naturally get more attention. I don’t mind that, it can only be good for myself as there is a little less pressure from the outside. I don’t mind it at all.”

All Molinari wants to do is stripe golf balls. He was second in strokes gained tee to green last PGA Tour season and is in the top-50 now despite limited reps.

Molinari is a good wind player and also has an underrated short game.

It often falls on a good putting week for Molinari to prevail. He is improved in strokes gained putting from 182nd to 124th.

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