Molinari "Why Did the World Star Add Toppings?"

One Day Before Genesis Invitational Opening, 'AT&T Topping Incident' Introduced, Unluckily Caddie Also Tested Positive for COVID-19

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "My body just wasn’t warmed up."

Francesco Molinari (Italy, photo) explained the ‘AT&T topping incident’ at a press conference held on the 18th (Korean time) at the Riviera Golf Club in Pacific Palisades, California, a day before the start of the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million). The incident began during the 3rd round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the 14th, when his 3-wood tee shot on the 1st hole (par 4) only traveled 70 yards.

Molinari’s baffling mis-shot was caught live on the broadcast, drawing significant attention. He confessed, "The chilly weather caused my muscles to stiffen before the first tee shot, and I was still not comfortable with the 3-wood. Also, playing without a caddie was extremely difficult." Unfortunately, his caddie tested positive for COVID-19 just before the tournament and had to leave the course. Molinari finished 59th overall with a 4-over-par score that day.

Molinari won his first PGA Tour title at the Quicken Loans National in July 2018, and just three weeks later made headlines by becoming the first Italian major champion at The Open. In March 2019, he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and rose to 6th in the world rankings. Interestingly, he is known as a ‘victim’ of Tiger Woods. After leading by two strokes on the final day of the Masters in April, he conceded the victory to Woods and soon fell into a slump, dropping to 107th in the world rankings.

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