Masters

Molinari won't look back as he takes on Tiger for Masters crown

2019-04-14 09:18

Augusta - Francesco Molinari won't be dwelling on his British Open triumph at Carnoustie last year when he tees off alongside Tiger Woods in search of a Masters title on Sunday.

"I think, to be honest, every tournament is different and every time is different," Molinari said. "I think how I hit the ball tomorrow will help my comfort a lot more than thinking about Carnoustie.

"I don't think I'll be thinking about Carnoustie a lot tomorrow."

The Italian fired a six-under par 66 Saturday at Augusta National to stand on 13-under 203 after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of 14-time major winner Woods.

Molinari, who previous best Masters finish was a tie for 19th back in 2012, has played without a bogey for 43 holes, and is the only player with two bogey-free rounds this week.

Par-saving putts at the fourth and fifth and an up and down for par from a bunker at 18 were - for him - the highlights of a round that included six birdies.

"Mentally was very good," he said. "I would say the more important shots were probably the two par putts on four and five ... you keep momentum on your side if you make them. If you drop shots there, then it kind of changes the whole round."

Molinari also played alongside Woods in the final round at Carnoustie.

This time around, the Italian goes in with a two-shot lead over Woods and American Tony Finau - who will also play in the last group as tournament officials send players off in groups of three in a bid to beat inclement weather.

"He's obviously playing great golf," Molinari said of Woods. "So I'm aware it's not going to be easy tomorrow. But it's not like I can only worry about him.

"We've seen (Saturday) that you can shoot seven-, eight-under the way the course is playing.

"Obviously it's nice to be a little bit ahead, but you might just need one hole to change. You never know how it's going to go, especially around a course like here."

Pairings for Sunday's final round of the 83rd Masters at par-72 Augusta National Golf Club (a-denotes amateur, all times SA):

1st tee

13:30 - Aaron Wise (USA), Marc Leishman (AUS), Kim Si-woo (KOR)

13:41 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG), Kevin Tway (USA), Patton Kizzire (USA)

13:52 - Henrik Stenson (SWE), Hideki Matsuyama (JPN), Cameron Smith (AUS)

14:03 - Jordan Spieth (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Corey Conners (CAN)

14:14 - Jason Day (AUS), Bubba Watson (USA), Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN)

14:25 - Justin Thomas (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Jon Rahm (ESP)

14:36 - Adam Scott (AUS), Patrick Cantlay (USA), Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN)

14:47 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA)

14:58 - Matt Kuchar (USA), Justin Harding (RSA), Xander Schauffele (USA)

15:09 - Brooks Koepka (USA), Webb Simpson (USA), Ian Poulter (ENG)

15:20 - Francesco Molinari (ITA), Tony Finau (USA), Tiger Woods (USA)

10th tee

13:30 - Kyle Stanley (USA), a-Viktor Hovland (NOR), Charley Hoffman (USA)

13:41 - Kevin Kisner (USA), Bryson DeChambeau (USA), a-Takumi Kanaya (JPN)

13:52 - Rory McIlroy (NIR), Keegan Bradley (USA), Gary Woodland (USA)

14:03 - Jimmy Walker (USA), J.B. Holmes (USA), Charles Howell (USA)

14:14 - Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Kevin Na (USA), a-Alvaro Ortiz (MEX)

14:25 - Patrick Reed (USA), a-Devon Bling (USA), Keith Mitchell (USA)

14:36 - Tyrrell Hatton (USA), Satoshi Kodaira (JPN), Andrew Landry (SA)

14:47 - Bernhard Langer (GER), Rafael Cabrera Bello (ESP), Eddie Pepperell (ENG)

14:58 - Branden Grace (RSA), Martin Kaymer (GER), Li Haotong (CHN)

15:09 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG), Zach Johnson (USA), Billy Horschel (USA)

15:20 - Trevor Immelman (RSA), Alex Noren (SWE)

Read more on:    masters  |  francesco molinari  |  tiger woods  |  golf

 

Read News24’s Comments Policy

Live Video Streaming
Video Highlights
Sport Talk
Breaking News

Vote

There are SIX South Africans competing at this year's Masters. Who will fare best?

Men
Women
Love 2 Meet
English Premiership flutter

Take Sport24's "expert" tips at your peril...

Featured

The 2018/19 Absa Premiership season is in full swing. Will Mamelodi Sundowns retain their title? Or can one of Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Wits, SuperSport United - or another team perhaps - snatch glory from the Brazilians? Be sure to visit Sport24 for all the latest news!

Latest blogs
 

Twitter Follow Sport24 on Twitter

Facebook "Like" Sport24's Facebook page

WIN Enter and win with Sport24!

BlackBerry Stay in the loop on your BlackBerry

RSS Feeds Sport news delivered really simply.

 
There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.