biography

Francesco Molinari joins his brother Edoardo, Thomas Bjørn, Nicolas Colsaerts and José María Olazábal in Donald’s European backroom team for the biennial contest against the United States, which will be played in Italy for the first time.

The 40 year old became Italy’s first Major Champion when he won The Open at Carnoustie in 2018. Later that year he became the first European player to win a maximum five points from five matches as Europe reclaimed the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, in Paris, forming an iconic partnership with Englishman Tommy Fleetwood which earned the duo the nickname ‘Moliwood’.

Molinari made his Ryder Cup debut alongside his elder brother Edoardo at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales in 2010 and was also part of Team Europe for the Miracle at Medinah two years later, halving his singles match with Tiger Woods as Olazábal’s team claimed a famous 14½-13½ victory in Chicago.

In January of this year, Molinari led Continental Europe to victory as playing Captain in the inaugural edition of the Hero Cup in Abu Dhabi, a team match play event which Donald introduced to help Team Europe’s preparation for next month’s Ryder Cup. He has also played in three editions of the Seve Trophy and in total, he has won six times on the DP World Tour, including twice on home soil, claiming the Italian Open in both 2006 and 2016.