Francesco Molinari, who earned the decisive half level towards Tiger Woods the final time Europe received a Ryder Cup in america, is again as a vice captain on Luke Donald‘s group for September’s occasion at Bethpage Black in New York.
The Italian joins his brother, Edoardo, Thomas Bjørn and José María Olazábal as vice captains this 12 months. All 4 had been additionally vice captains below Donald in 2023 when Europe received the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone outdoors Rome.
In 2018, Francesco Molinari turned the primary European participant to win all 5 of his matches in a Ryder Cup as Bjorn’s group triumphed at Le Golf Nationwide in Paris. Earlier that 12 months, he received the British Open at Carnoustie, turning into Italy’s first main champion.
“It’s going to be an enormous problem at Bethpage,” Francesco Molinari mentioned in an announcement Monday. “You simply have to have a look at the stats to see how tough it’s to win the Ryder Cup away from residence. It hasn’t occurred that usually lately, so it’s a large problem however it’s a large alternative to attempt to do one thing that, if it does occur, might be remembered for a protracted, very long time.”
Molinari mentioned he needs to “transmit my expertise” of when he confronted Woods at Medinah in 2012 for Olazábal’s squad. The victory turned referred to as the “Miracle at Medinah.”
“Medinah nonetheless has a particular place in my reminiscences, and in my coronary heart, and I might be actually glad and actually proud to see this era of gamers full one thing like that,” Molinari mentioned.
Added Donald on Molinari, “He is aware of methods to win Ryder Cups, having been on three successful groups, and I believe that is actually necessary for us. We clearly have a tricky process forward of us attempting to win away in New York.
“I believe he brings a really calm head,” Donald mentioned. “He’s somebody who listens lots and has good concepts. He speaks up when he looks like he must. I like his manner. He simply would not appear to get too flustered. He would not appear to get too excessive or too low. I believe that is going to be necessary in a spot like New York, an away Ryder Cup.”
The Ryder Cup is scheduled for Sept. 26-28.
