Molinari’s Meltdown

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA | Francesco Molinari can be stone-faced on the golf course, whether it’s while winning the Open Championship or cutting the heart out of the American team with his epic performance in the Ryder Cup last fall.

Even at the Masters last Sunday, when he was nine holes away from winning the green jacket, Molinari’s manner didn’t suggest it was different than any other tournament he’s played through his long career.

Only at the end, when two double bogeys in a four-hole stretch had undone more than three days of brilliant work did the disappointment show on the Italian’s face. He understood what had been lost in less than an hour on the back nine at Augusta National.

By the time Molinari arrived at the RBC Heritage, an easy three-hour drive into the South Carolina low country, Molinari had begun to build a layer of separation between what had happened and what lay ahead.

Francesco Molinari prepares to play his third shot after hitting his tee shot into water during the final round of the Master...