'The Open Champ' Molinari Mystery "Masters Aftereffects?"

Last Year’s Shocking Comeback Loss to Woods, Failing Top 10 for a Year, Attempting to Break Slump in Arnold Palmer Invitational Title Defense

Francesco Molinari aims to break his slump at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Cut off four times in the last 14 tournaments."

Francesco Molinari (Italy), the '2018 Open Champion,' is suffering from 'Masters aftereffects.' Last April, he led by two strokes on the final day of the Masters but suffered a shocking comeback defeat to the 'Returned Golf King' Tiger Woods (USA). Since then, including a 'cut off' at the next tournament, the RBC Heritage, he has not entered the 'top 10' for 12 months. This year, starting with the American Express in January, he seems to be going through a full-fledged slump, including 'cut off' in three consecutive tournaments.

Molinari was stopped by a double bogey at the notorious 12th hole (par 3) of Augusta National, known as the 'Curse of the Indian.' His tee shot landed on the bunker lip and rolled into the water, resulting in a fatal double bogey. The American media introduced a superstition, saying, "In 1931, an American Indian grave was discovered," and "strange things often happen." Misfortune compounded when his third shot from just 80 yards at the 15th hole (par 5) hit a tree and again flew into the water hazard.

Molinari was the first Italian to become a major champion at the Open. His special connection with Woods is interesting. Three weeks ago, at the Quicken Loans National hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, he earned his first PGA Tour victory and received the trophy from Woods. On the final day of the Open, he resisted Woods' pursuit, drawing even more spotlight. In the October Ryder Cup, the intercontinental golf competition between Europe and the USA, he handed Woods three defeats.

Francesco Molinari (right) playing alongside Tiger Woods on the final day of the 2018 The Open.

It is surprising that a player who averaged a driving distance of 281.6 yards in 2015 (153rd on the PGA Tour) transformed into a power hitter hitting 301.0 yards (52nd) in 2018. He proudly added, "I focused on weight training and corrected my swing with swing coach Dennis Pugh (England)." Molinari actually reached the milestone of three PGA Tour wins last March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational by stopping Rory McIlroy's (Northern Ireland) two consecutive wins.

The Masters ultimately became a turning point. Woods, who won in 1997, had back-to-back wins in 2001 and 2002, and after 2005, secured his fifth win in 14 years and his 15th major victory, his first since the 2008 US Open, resulting in mixed fortunes this time. The key point is that his mental state collapsed. Molinari said, "I lost confidence due to two critical mistakes at the Masters," and "it led to poor iron shots," explaining his disappointment.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million), which opens on the night of the 5th (Korean time) at Bay Hill Golf Club (par 72, 7,454 yards) in Orlando, Florida, USA, is welcome as the 'Promised Land' where he shot 8 under par on the final day last year. Woods' absence is fortunate. Due to recent back pain, he gave up his 'winning stronghold,' where he won eight times including four consecutive wins from 2000 to 2003. Molinari will start his title defense at 9:54 PM from the 10th hole (par 4) alongside McIlroy and Justin Rose (England).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.