The Masters: Will Francesco Molinari Ever Return to Form? Slug preview:

Francesco Molinari was on top of the golf world at the 2019 Masters. Then he dunked his tee shot at the 12th and has not been the same. What’s next?

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Francesco Molinari was on top of the golfing world at the 2019 Masters. The Italian stared down Tiger Woods to win the 2018 British Open, then dominated the Americans with a 5-0 performance in the 2018 Ryder Cup. He carried his form into 2019, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a rousing final round 64. Many considered him a favorite going into the Masters and he delivered, firing a 70, 67 and 66 to give him a 2 shot lead going into Sunday. He held the lead through 11 holes and was even par.

Then he arrived on the 12th tee.

Molinari dumped his tee shot in Rae’s Creek, then chaos broke out. As Tiger Woods assumed control of the tournament, the steady Italian spiraled. He hit a sloppy layup shot on the reachable Par-5 15th, dunked his approach after clipping a tree, and recorded his 2nd double bogey of the back nine. While the golfing world rejoiced at Tiger’s comeback and the Augusta National patrons chanted his name , the Turin-born 54 hole leader lived out his worst nightmare, signing for a devastating final round 74.

Golfers collapse in the final rounds of majors all the time. Many bounce back – Justin Thomas shook off a poor final round at Erin Hills to capture the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow 2 months later, and Adam Scott donned the Green Jacket in 2013 after a brutal bogey-filled back nine in the 2012 British Open. Nothing pleases fans and pundits more than a great comeback story (Tiger anyone?), and it is easy to root for champions to shake off a poor performance and return to previous glory. Unfortunately, some players never recover from their heartbreak.

Greg Norman may be the best example of this; his 1996 Masters meltdown is golfing lore, and he punctuated his collapse with a poor tee shot into Rae’s Creek like Molinari’s.

His final round 78 essentially ended his career, as he only won twice after and never truly competed in a major (save for his wild run at the 2008 British Open as a 53 year old). It is tough to not also think of Phil Mickelson; one of the greatest players of the 21st century, his infamous collapse at Winged Foot resulted in a four year majorless drought. Despite his expansive career accolades, Lefty never captured his prized U.S. Open and threw in a couple more choke jobs in 2009 and 2013 for good measure. The game of golf is fickle, and sometimes a tournament, a round – hell, even one swing – can alter someone’s career.

Which brings us back to Molinari.

Since his fateful swing at Augusta’s most famous par-3, Golden Bell, he has not finished in the Top 10 on either the PGA Tour or European Tour. His best finish was a tie for 11th in his title defense at the 2019 British Open, where he still finished a distant 12 shots behind champion Shane Lowry. Nearly 20 months removed from his last stroll down Magnolia Lane, Molinari now sits 85th in the World Golf Rankings. The former London resident recently moved his whole family to California and has barely played professional golf during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will Francesco ever regain his form? Now 38 years old, over a year and a half removed from his best play, it is difficult to imagine the 3-time PGA Tour winner will ever return to his once-lofty heights. Since 1978, only 15 men have won a major past the age of 40. The list is littered with legends like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and of course Tiger Woods. Can Molinari join this group in the twilight of his career? It is of course possible, but his recent form and mental scars make the climb back to the top appear as steep as Mt. Everest.

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Francesco Molinari says he wants closure at the Masters this week; let’s hope for his sake he hits the 12th green on Thursday and begins the slow climb up Everest to put his Augusta demons to rest.

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