With Francesco Molinari in KLM Open, Ryder Cup is popular topic of conversation
In the year of the Ryder Cup, it is almost inevitable that this will be a topic of conversation at the KLM Open. Moreover, the tournament at The International has a real Ryder Cup hero in the house with Francesco Molinari, plus a number of players hoping to play for Europe soon in September. ‘Although it is not easy to make the team, it is in your head,’ he said.
After 15 years, Francesco Molinari is back in the KLM Open. ‘Pooh, has it been that long? It doesn’t feel like that, but time flies,’ the 42-year-old Italian said at a press conference today. Molinari played in three Ryder Cups, all of which Europe won (2010, 2012 and 2018). In his first, he beat Tiger Woods; in his last, he became the first European to bring in the maximum number of five points. Also in 2018, he became the first Italian ever to win a major, The Open.
Fire still burns
That may have been a while ago, but the fire inside is still burning fiercely. ‘So far my season hasn’t been great, but I do notice that my game is almost where it should be. And from what I’ve seen, The International should be a course where my game comes into its own. So who knows.’
Molinari was not only a Ryder Cup player, but also vice-captain on Luke Donald’s staff in 2023 when his Italy beat the United States. The Italian has not yet been asked for this year, so he quietly hopes to make another bid for a spot as a player. ‘If I’m honest, my form is not enough for that right now, but things can go fast in golf. Of course it’s in the back of my mind. Anyway, I hope to be there soon in September.’
Laurie Canter
The same goes for Laurie Canter. The 35-year-old Englishman is currently second in the Race to Dubai, behind Rory McIlroy. That is not yet enough to qualify for the European team, he realises. ‘So I find it difficult to set that as a goal. But I also didn’t set myself a goal to play the Masters and The Players this year and I did. For the Ryder Cup, you just have to perform consistently for a long time and also have a bit of luck. But that I’d love it if it works out should be obvious.’
Canter knows that a good week in Amsterdam will bring him another step closer. ‘This is a beautiful golf course, where you should be able to play target golf, especially with a strong wind. I also played here last year, but I’m definitely playing at least 18 holes beforehand this week to prepare properly.’
Superstitious
Guido Migliozzi does too, but the 2024 winner, also mostly sticks to things he did last year that apparently contributed to his victory. ‘I am not superstitious, but I did eat in the same restaurant yesterday as I did the day before the first round last year, I am sleeping in the same hotel and I invited a friend, who was there last year, to come again…’
Some things, however, are beyond his control. ‘The wind so far is blowing from a different direction than last year, some holes will play substantially differently as a result.’
Migliozzi will take to the course tomorrow with Joost Luiten, among others. ‘A good friend and a man of the people. That will be fun.’
With a slanted eye, Migliozzi will also be watching the exploits of his compatriot Molinari. ‘He is a role model for many Italian golfers. Francesco is always willing to help us if we ask for it. When you get advice from him, you take it to heart.’
Molinari himself is modest about his role. ‘I certainly don’t want to call myself a mentor, but if they ask for my help, I am there for them. In golf, there are many paths to success and everyone has to find their own way in it anyway.’
