Francesco Molinari won the British Open on Sunday, giving Italy its first major golf victory after emerging from a packed leader board in the final round.
Molinari, who won his first PGA Tour event this month at the Quicken Loans National, surged into contention with six birdies for a six-under-par 65 on Saturday before sealing the win with a two-under 69 on Sunday at Carnoustie Golf Links for a four-round total of eight-under 276. His victory culminated an impressive run this summer: Molinari, 35, tied for second at the John Deere Classic a week before the Open.
He had to hold off a group of challengers including Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods on Sunday to deliver his country’s greatest golf achievement.