Francesco Molinari hadn’t had a good run at a major tournament since winning the 2018 British Open, but he got the luck of a lifetime on Friday.
Coming into this weekend’s U.S. Open, Molinari had missed the cut in eight of his last 11 majors, including the last five.
Molinari was in danger of making another mistake. In fact, it seemed inevitable.
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Italy’s Francesco Molinari tees off during a pro-am tournament previewing the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 17, 2024. (Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
But he performed a miracle.
Molinari had teed off for the final time in the second round on Friday, at the par-3 ninth hole. It was his 18th hole of the day, having started on the back nine. He was five over par, two strokes behind the projected cut line.
In other words, if they submit anyone other than their ace, they will likely be eliminated in the preliminaries.
Despite these impossible odds, he rolled his iron shot perfectly and the ball landed in the cup for a hole-in-one.
Molinari looked in disbelief and received hugs from fellow longtime Ryder Cup teammates Sergio Garcia and Ryo Ishikawa.
Francesco Molinari of Italy hits his second shot on the 18th hole of the Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande on October 19, 2023 in San Roque, Spain. (Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sports Images/Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler slams his putter into the air after missing a putt during a frustrating round
The ace helped him drop from seven over par to five over par, putting him at the line (top 60 and tied).
It was the course’s second hole-in-one of the day, after Sepp Straka ace’d the ninth hole.
It will be Molinari’s first time playing a weekend at a major tournament since the 2022 British Open, where he finished tied for 15th.
Molinari appeared to be on an upward trajectory after winning at Carnoustie nearly six years ago, but since collapsing at the 2019 Masters, he has recorded just four top-50 finishes in his last 16 majors.
Francesco Molinari hits a shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the British Open at Royal Liverpool. (Kyle Terada – USA Today Sports)
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Molinari may not be the threat many expected him to be after that big win, but at least he’ll have a great story to tell at Pinehurst No. 2.
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