Francesco Molinari replies from his home in Los Angeles, where he is spending the last few days of his vacation. He will then leave for Abu Dhabi where, from 13 to 15 January, the Hero Cup will take place, the unprecedented golf challenge between 10 players from continental Europe and 10 from Great Britain and Ireland.
A good test in view of the Ryder Cup in Rome. “I’m happy that the choice fell on me and I’m curious to see how I’ll handle it. However, I won’t be alone: Luke Donald and his vice-captains, including my brother Edoardo, will be there to give us a hand and this leaves me more relaxed.
On paper they are stronger, they have more stars. I think of Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, to name two. But we have a more balanced team. We are very motivated. They’d do well not to underestimate us.”
Francesco Molinari, statements
“I will be able to count on the Belgians Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters, the French Victor Perez and Antoine Rozner, the Dane Rasmus Hojgaard, the Austrian Sepp Straka, the Pole Adrian Meronk, the Swede Alex Noren and the Italian Guido Migliozzi.
I have had frequent conversations with all of them. But in these days of celebration I have left them a little more relaxed. Work in progress, even if in golf you never know. Sometimes nothing is enough, a small spark, to change the cards on the table.
And that’s what I need. In 2018 I would have given the same answer and we know how it went, fortunately. With Professor Sandro Donati, even if remotely, we are doing an excellent job. He is helping me a lot. Just as the support of Professor Giuseppe Vercelli is precious, on a mental level.
To return to certain levels, you need to find conviction again and that’s what we’re trying to do”. “Goal? Return to the top 100 in the world as soon as possible and direct all efforts in one direction: the Ryder Cup in Rome at the end of September.
The races in question guarantee more Ryder Cup points than those held in the same period on the PGA Tour. Then I’ll go back to America for Waste Management, the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera, which is my field, and so on.
For sure, I will play more matches than in past seasons». “I think it’s a physiological decline. In golf it can happen. At youth level we continue to be very strong. So it can be hoped. At one time, I believed that our boys didn’t get involved much, but today that’s not the case anymore.
American colleges are full of our talents. And it’s a highly educational experience, from every point of view, not just sporting because the gap between amateur and professional golf is enormous. A bit like the Primavera and Serie A championships in football.
You have to be patient. A few years the French had almost disappeared on the Tour, today there are many of them». “My wife Valentina and I often talk about it. We have to think for ourselves and for our children, who have lived a life learning to adapt to new situations.
But in the meantime they are growing, we cannot put off the decision for long. The sooner we get it, the better”.
