The American Express: Top 10 power rankings in California

Where did Frances-go? Molinari was the talk of the golf world for about an eight-month stretch. His 2018 Open Championship win, a 5-0 Ryder Cup record, and contention at the 2019 Masters was Hall of Fame worthy.

Since he was unable to seal the deal at Augusta last April, his confidence appears shaken. As he admitted to Golf Digest in November, it was tough to follow up that career stretch.

"“It was always going to be hard to beat last year,” Molinari said. “That would have been nearly impossible. I did pick up where I left off over the first part of the season. But something stopped working, or hasn’t been working as well, since then. The second half of the season has not been as good as the first half. I don’t have any reasons for it…”"

We’ve seen this story before with first-time major winners. Or even guys who are faced with dealing with big-time success for the first time.

With success comes expectations, and Molinari struggled to meet those lofty ones for much of 2019.

The 37-year-old Italian’s top finish since his T-5 at the Masters was T-11 in his title defense at the Open. He did manage to make the cut at all four majors and finished T-16 at the US Open.

He also only missed two cuts for the year, so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Molinari is coming off six weeks’ rest. There could be some rust to shake off, but I think the time away will do more good than harm.

He hasn’t had this much time away from competition in a year.

Recharging the batteries could be just what the doctor ordered. He’s been a world-class player for a decade now, and he’ll be a factor in more Ryder Cups to come.

Molinari is making his American Express debut.

You’d like him to be a longer hitter around PGA West, but he can get away with the waywardness that plagues his 2019.

He’s good enough with his irons to make up ground. Molinari was 71st on Tour in proximity from 175-200 yards (32’5″) and sixth from 200+ (40′).