A Molinari Weekend: Johnnie Walker and the Ryder Cup

Photos: Pvt pauline/wikimedia

What a big weekend for the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco. Edoardo won the Johnnie Walker Championship by circling the last three holes of the tournament and winning by one shot at -10. Meanwhile, Francesco shot a 75, but still finished at -7 and tied for 3rd place. Edoardo picked up his 2nd win of the season, while Francesco picked up his 7th Top 10.

Normally, that’s an exceptional weekend for the Brothers Molinari. I mean, what Mother wouldn’t be happy with 1st and 3rd in a European Tour event with a good field? But these Italians (from Turin) took it one step further with the help of Colin Montgomerie. Francesco already qualified for the European Ryder Cup team, but today (after winning in Scotland) Edoardo was also named to the team as a Captain’s pick (alongside Padraig Harrington and Luke Donald).

The funny thing is that Edoardo is actually higher in the Race to Dubai rankings, but these two were going to make the team no matter what. They are 27 and 29 years of age and are the defending champions form the World Cup. It only makes sense to have them play together in the Ryder Cup and they should be unstoppable. In the World Cup they played 2 rounds of Fourballs and 2 rounds of alternate shot (Foursomes). They consistently went low and shot -29 through 4 rounds.

These brothers also played together in amateur golf winning the 2002 and 2004 Italian Amateur Foursomes Championship. The have been amazing all year and sit at 21 (Edoardo) and 38 (Francesco) on the Official World Golf Rankings (prior to the Johnnie Walker Championship).

They will be a force to be reckoned with when the world’s best golfers head to Celtic Manor from October 1-3. Meanwhile, let’s see how the US Ryder Cup team shapes up as Corey Pavin’s picks will come in just over a week.