Molinari breaks U.S. stranglehold on majors

Molinari was not at all fazed by the huge crowds and the media circus following Woods, and he did not have a single bogey all day, following on from a blemish-free 65 on Saturday.

That will make it more hard on the opening stretch of holes for everyone in the later groups, including Spieth who hit a driver onto the first green and made eagle on his way to a 65 that tied him with Kisner and Xander Schauffele.

Tiger Woods has parred his first two holes and remains four shots back from Spieth, Schauffele and Kevin Kisner, who shared the third-round lead at 9-under.

Bryan took to Twitter during Sunday’s final round to share his recollection of Molinari’s plan, which the now-Open champion explained while the two were playing together at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China back in October.

Congrats to Molinari, who’s been one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour; he’s now won three of his last six starts.

For the victor of every one of these major championships, there always are moments and factoids that represent the road map to victory. He holed a 5-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to take the outright lead.

He regained some form in 2018, most crucially gaining regular play time without any injury concerns, and now at Carnoustie, Tiger Woods is the betting favourite to win his 15th Major.

For Tiger, major victories were once inevitable.

Woods has won 14 majors during the course of his career, but none in a decade since he claimed victory in the 2008 U.S. Open.

In his prime, Woods could never be called the most endearing champion. The possibility of him vying for the lead on Sunday is as tantalizing for at least one of his competitors as it is for golf fans. Three shots off the pace, he knew that with 36 holes still to play the deficit was nothing. For them, he is the sport.

Hearing the roars, watching WOODS rise on the yellow leaderboards, it was as though we’d been transported to the mid-2000s, to a time when he’d play solidly, not spectacularly, and watch as his lesser opponents crumbled. They could taste it.

Spieth made a bogey after a wayward drive.

Schauffele ended up in a tie for second, two shots back of Molinari, as did Kisner. Could golf’s three biggest names – Woods, Spieth, McIlroy – all wind up in a playoff?

“It’s clearly a little bit disappointing to not give myself a shot at even getting into contention”, Day said after he was level with Molinari and played with the Italian on Saturday only to enter the final round 10 shots adrift of the leaders and without any real hope.

Justin Rose, who made a birdie on the 18th hole Friday to make the cut, was 2 under through 8 holes.

This was their chance to help bring Tiger Woods home. He is even par for the tournament.

Rory McIlory spun around and let out a roar after making a 35-foot eagle putt. Molinari sunk his, giving him sole possession of the lead at eight under par.

Another Englishman, Tommy Fleetwood, moved to six under with a birdie on the first, only to drop four shots in three holes before the turn and end up three under for the tournament with a two-over 73.