"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-07-17T15:29:25Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/07/05/carnoustie-mark-lawrie-favorite-course-open-championship-living-golf-spt-intl.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="carnoustie mark lawrie favorite course open championship living golf spt intl"
data-first-publish-slug="carnoustie mark lawrie favorite course open championship living golf spt intl"
data-video-tags="golf,sports and recreation,sports events,golf events,major championships (golf),the open championship"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-03-01T09:42:10Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2017/02/28/tiger-woods-perfect-day-dubai-caddyshack-earl-woods-oatmeal-living-golf-orig.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="tiger woods perfect day dubai caddyshack earl woods oatmeal living golf orig"
data-first-publish-slug="tiger woods perfect day dubai caddyshack earl woods oatmeal living golf orig"
data-video-tags="arts and entertainment,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,cereal and grains,comedians and comedy,comedy (genre),consumer products,domestic alerts,domestic-entertainment,food and drink,food products,genres (arts and entertainment),golf,iab-comedy,iab-entertainment,iab-food & drink,iab-genres,iab-golf,iab-humor and satire,iab-movies,iab-pop culture,iab-sports,international alerts,international-entertainment,kinds of foods and beverages,movies,sports and recreation,sports figures,tiger woods"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-04-19T21:25:51Z"
data-video-section="tv"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/04/19/rory-mcilroy-i-will-win-the-masters-spt.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="Rory McIlroy: I will win the Masters SPT"
data-first-publish-slug="Rory McIlroy: I will win the Masters SPT"
data-video-tags="augusta,georgia,golf,north america,rory mcilroy,southeastern united states,sports and recreation,sports figures,united states"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-03-30T15:12:52Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/03/30/olafia-kristinsdottir-icelandic-golfer-hole-in-one-ana-inspiration-living-golf-orig-spt.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="Olafia Kristinsdottir icelandic golfer hole in one ana inspiration living golf orig spt"
data-first-publish-slug="Olafia Kristinsdottir icelandic golfer hole in one ana inspiration living golf orig spt"
data-video-tags="ana inspiration,golf,golf events,sports and recreation,sports events"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-04-06T07:58:01Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/04/03/javier-ballesteros-recollections-of-seve-masters-augusta-national-living-golf-spc-spt.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="javier ballesteros recollections of seve masters augusta national living golf spc spt"
data-first-publish-slug="javier ballesteros recollections of seve masters augusta national living golf spc spt"
data-video-tags="europe,golf,madrid,southern europe,spain,sports and recreation,sports events,golf events,major championships (golf),masters golf tournament,seve ballesteros"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-03-07T13:17:11Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/03/07/dlf-golf-club-india-14th-golfs-hardest-holes-european-tour-living-golf-orig-intl.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="dlf golf club india 14th golfs hardest holes european tour living golf orig intl"
data-first-publish-slug="dlf golf club india 14th golfs hardest holes european tour living golf orig intl"
data-video-tags="sports and recreation,golf,destinations and attractions,golf courses,asia,south asia,india,companies,society"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-02-08T11:47:47Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/02/08/ryder-cup-europe-journey-to-victory-united-states-thomas-bjorn-living-golf-spc.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="ryder cup europe journey to victory united states thomas bjorn living golf spc"
data-first-publish-slug="ryder cup europe journey to victory united states thomas bjorn living golf spc"
data-video-tags="europe,golf,golf events,ryder cup,sports and recreation,sports events"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-02-05T10:00:42Z"
data-video-section="sport"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2018/01/29/fanny-sunesson-perfect-day-nick-faldo-ben-hogan-living-golf-orig.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="fanny sunesson perfect day nick faldo ben hogan living golf orig"
data-first-publish-slug="fanny sunesson perfect day nick faldo ben hogan living golf orig"
data-video-tags="ben hogan,golf,nick faldo,sports and recreation,sports figures"
data-details="">
"
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-01-05T16:19:11Z"
data-video-section="tv"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/01/05/keith-pelley-european-tour-millennials-back-in-golf.cnn"
data-branding-key="golf"
data-video-slug="keith pelley european tour millennials back in golf"
data-first-publish-slug="keith pelley european tour millennials back in golf"
data-video-tags="business executives,golf,keith pelley,labor and employment,sports and recreation,sports figures,workers and professionals"
data-details="">
It’s been a tough few months for the average Italian sports fan, watching on with envy as 32 other nations vied for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Not since 1958 had the four-time champions failed to qualify for football’s greatest showpiece, prompting the president of the country’s football association to compare the outcome to “an apocalypse.”
Francesco Molinari isn’t a household name like the stars of the Azzurri, but the Italian golfer might just have put a smile back onto the faces of those reading Monday’s back pages.
The 35-year-old from Turin held off several more established players on the links of Carnoustie this weekend, including a resurgent Tiger Woods, to win the 147th Open and make history.
Indeed the wait for something to smile about has been a whole lot longer for Italian golf fans, at least when it comes to the country producing a major champion.
Molinari is the first, thanks to his remarkably consistent closing run of 37 holes in a row without a bogey.
And the newest name on golf’s Claret Jug believes his eight-under-par victory “should” get his compatriots cheering again.
“I’m not sure if it will make up for Italy missing the World Cup, but it’s a first step forward,” Molinari told CNN Sport’s Alex Thomas. “Let’s put it like that.”
Francesco Molinari celebrates after sinking a putt on the last hole of the Open Championship on Sunday, July 22. He won by two strokes for his first career major.
Harry How/Getty Images
Molinari kisses the Claret Jug after the final round. He is the first Italian to win a major.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
A look at the final Open leaderboard and its traditional note of congratulations.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Jordan Spieth plays out of the rough on the sixth hole Sunday. He was tied for the lead after Saturday but struggled on Sunday and finished four back.
Jon Super/AP
Tiger Woods plays a shot from the ninth tee on Sunday. He had the lead at one point but finished three strokes back.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy reacts after sinking a long eagle putt on the 14th hole Sunday. He was among a group of golfers who finished tied for second.
David Cannon/Getty Images
Rickie Fowler plays a tee shot on the third hole Sunday.
David Cannon/Getty Images
A greenskeeper trims the edges of a hole during the final round of the Open.
Jan Kruger/R&A/Getty Images
Tyrrell Hatton plays a shot from the rough on Sunday.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Tommy Fleetwood greets fans as he walks to the second hole on Sunday.
Jon Super/AP
Zach Johnson throws a ball to his caddie during the third round on Saturday.
Jon Super/AP
Zander Lombard throws a ball to the crowd after an eagle on the 18th hole Saturday.
Harry How/Getty Images
Spieth tees off the third hole Saturday.
Richard Sellers/AP
Xander Schauffele chips from a bunker during the third round.
David Daviess/PA Images/Getty Images
Cameramen film Spieth's second shot on the 14th hole Saturday.
Ross Kinnaird/R&A/Getty Images
Kevin Kisner on the first tee Saturday. He and Johnson shared the lead going into the weekend.
Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty Images
Fans are reflected in sunglasses on Saturday.
Jon Super/AP
Woods celebrates on the 18th hole Saturday.
Ross Kinnaird/R&A/Getty Images
McIlroy reacts to a missed eagle putt on Saturday.
Warren Little/R&A/Getty Images
Woods tees off on the fifth hole Saturday.
Jan Kruger/R&A/Getty Images
Fans don USA-themed trousers on the third day of the Open.
David Davies/AP
Johnson celebrates a birdie on the 18th hole Friday.
Francois Nel/Getty Images
McIlroy plays a tee shot Friday.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Woods plays a shot on the second hole on Friday. He shot an even-par 71 for the second straight round.
Matthew Lewis/R&A/Getty Images
Tommy Fleetwood pumps his fist after a birdie on No. 18 on Friday. He finished with a 65.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Kisner reads a green on Friday.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images
Woods tees off from No. 10 during the first round on Thursday. It was his first time back at the Open since 2015.
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
Kisner hits a bunker shot Thursday. He was the first-round leader after a 5-under 66. Three people were behind him at 4-under.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
A view of McIlroy's soles. He was three strokes back after round one.
Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images
A course marshal uses a rangefinder during first-round play.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Dustin Johnson plays his tee shot on the ninth hole Thursday. The dark clouds symbolized his tough first round (5-over). He ended up missing the cut.
Harry How/Getty Images
Paul Casey watches a tee shot on Thursday.
Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
Woods lines up a putt on the first green Thursday.
Jan Kruger/R&A/Getty Images
Haraldur Magnus hits a tee shot on No. 18.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Brooks Koepka, who won the US Open in June, reacts after a wayward shot on Thursday.
Much has been made of Molinari’s work with performance coach Dave Alred, a figure who was instrumental in Englishman Luke Donald’s rise to world No. 1 in 2011.
“He’s a personality and a figure that I was missing and the whole team was missing,” Molinari told CNN Sport earlier in the week, acknowledging he’d been “pushed a little bit more.”
But asked to single out the decisive factor that’s allowed him to make the step-up in the wake of Sunday’s triumph, Molinari gave a more philosophical response.
“I’ve done nothing differently to be honest,” he said. “It’s just a matter of keeping working at it, little by little getting better and, you know, sometimes good things happen.”
A bad summer for Italian football has been a good one for this Italian golfer.
