Molinari Wins 2018 BMW PGA Championship
A final round 4-under 68 gave Francesco Molinari a total of 17-under 271 total, a two shot win over Rory McIlroy's 15-under 273. Alex Noren and Lucas Bjerregarrd are one stroke back on 14-under 274. Molinari was runner-up here last year when Noren took the Championship.
Molinari began the day in a tie at the top with McIlroy but he rapidly surged ahead, birdying the 3rd, 4th and 8th holes. At the par-five 18th his advantage seemed in jeopardy when his third hit to the green almost landed in the water and his fourth had him facing a five-foot for par while McIlroy was 20 feet from an eagle. McIlroy's shot came up short. Molinari kept his nerve and holed out for par.
Molinari's win ensures his qualifying for the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in September. His strong, steady, consistent game throughout the tournament, which brought round totals of 70, 67, 66, 68, had McIlroy call him "a robot" at one point.
McIlroy had started the weekend three shots in the lead. Then as the tournament progressed he seemed to lose control of his swing, and he posted final rounds of 71, 70. Looking back, McIlroy saw hints of trouble in his game. Here's his own assessment:
“There were still enough loose shots in that first 36 holes to know that, ‘OK, it's not quite there’.
"It's tough when you’ve got a two-way miss going, and I’ve obviously still got a lot of work to do before the changes I made after missing the cut at the Players’ Championship really bed in."
Of Molinari, McIlroy said, "He played great. Covering the final 36 holes bogey-free takes some doing around here. I turned to my caddie Harry and said, ‘Frankie is just like a robot. He never seems to miss a shot, ever’.”
On Saturday several of McIlroy's errant shots hit spectators and a course marshal, and he was chided by fans for not having given the warning "Fore!" On Sunday he self-corrected and his loud shouts were heard quite frequently.
Molinari, after coming in second here last year, was over the moon about winning.
“I think if I could pick one tournament to win in my career it would be this one,” he said. "I finally crossed the line!"
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