What Happened to Francesco Molinari?
Francesco Molinari is an Italian professional golfer, best known for his historic 2018 season where he won The Open Championship, the Quicken Loans National, the BMW PGA Championship, and achieved a perfect 5-0-0 record at the Ryder Cup. While his playing career has seen a decline in world ranking in recent years, he remains active on both the PGA and DP World Tours and has transitioned into a significant leadership role as a Ryder Cup Vice-Captain for Team Europe, serving in 2023, 2025, and slated for 2027.
Quick Answer
Francesco Molinari, the 2018 Open Champion, continues to be an active figure in professional golf as of July 2026, competing on both the PGA and DP World Tours. Although his world ranking has fallen, he recently finished tied for 17th at the Genesis Scottish Open in July 2026 and is participating in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19, 2026. Beyond playing, Molinari has taken on a prominent leadership role, serving as a Vice-Captain for the victorious European Ryder Cup teams in 2023 and 2025, and is confirmed for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline17 events
Turns Professional
Francesco Molinari officially turned professional, beginning his career in competitive golf.
Wins World Cup of Golf with Brother Edoardo
Team Molinari, consisting of Francesco and his older brother Edoardo, won the World Cup of Golf for Italy.
Wins WGC-HSBC Champions
Molinari secured his first World Golf Championships title at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, becoming the first Italian to win a WGC event.
Seals Ryder Cup Victory at 'Miracle at Medinah'
In a dramatic singles match against Tiger Woods, Molinari secured the crucial half-point that ensured Europe's victory in the 'Miracle at Medinah' Ryder Cup.
Wins BMW PGA Championship
Molinari claimed his first Rolex Series event title at the BMW PGA Championship, marking a significant win on the European Tour.
Wins Quicken Loans National (Maiden PGA Tour Win)
He secured his first PGA Tour victory at the Quicken Loans National, winning by a dominant eight strokes.
Wins The Open Championship
Molinari made history by winning The 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie, becoming the first Italian to win a major.
Achieves Perfect 5-0-0 Record at Ryder Cup
Molinari delivered an unprecedented 5-0-0 record at the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris, playing a pivotal role in Europe's victory.
Wins Race to Dubai
Following his exceptional season, Molinari became the first Italian to win the Race to Dubai, topping the European Tour's season-long standings.
Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational
He captured his third PGA Tour title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, further cementing his status among the world's elite.
Captains Continental Europe to Hero Cup Victory
Molinari captained the Continental Europe team to a 14½ - 10½ victory over Great Britain & Ireland in the inaugural Hero Cup.
Serves as Ryder Cup Vice-Captain (Rome)
Molinari joined Luke Donald's backroom staff as a Vice-Captain for the victorious European Ryder Cup team in Rome.
Rejoins Team Bettinardi
Molinari officially rejoined Bettinardi Golf, a brand known for its precision-milled putters, for the 2025 season.
Named 2025 Ryder Cup Vice-Captain (Bethpage Black)
Luke Donald announced Francesco Molinari as his fourth Vice-Captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, New York.
Tied 17th at Genesis Scottish Open
Molinari finished tied for 17th at the Genesis Scottish Open with a score of 8-under par, showing a strong performance.
Competes in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Francesco Molinari teed off at Royal Birkdale Golf Club for The 154th Open Championship, looking to improve on his 2025 performance.
Named 2027 Ryder Cup Vice-Captain (Adare Manor)
Molinari is slated to serve as a Vice-Captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, joining his brother Edoardo in the role.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Francesco Molinari's career reached its zenith in 2018, a year that solidified his place in golf history. He became the first Italian to win a major championship by triumphing at The Open Championship at Carnoustie. This victory was part of an incredible run that also included his maiden PGA Tour win at the Quicken Loans National and a significant European Tour title at the BMW PGA Championship. His dominance extended to the 2018 Ryder Cup, where he achieved a flawless 5-0-0 record alongside Tommy Fleetwood, a feat unprecedented for a European player, contributing significantly to Europe's victory and earning him the Race to Dubai title.
Following his stellar 2018, Molinari secured another PGA Tour victory at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, the subsequent years saw a gradual decline in his individual playing performance and world ranking. While he continued to compete on both the PGA and DP World Tours, top finishes became less frequent. This period also saw him take on a new dimension in his career, transitioning into a leadership role within the European Ryder Cup setup.
A key turning point in his post-2018 career has been his involvement as a Ryder Cup Vice-Captain. He served in this capacity for Luke Donald's victorious European teams in 2023, held in Rome, and again in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York. His experience and strategic insight from his playing days, particularly his historic 2018 performance, have made him a valuable asset to the team. This leadership role is set to continue, as he has been named a Vice-Captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, alongside his brother Edoardo.
As of July 2026, Molinari, now 43 years old, remains an active professional golfer. His Official World Golf Ranking stands at 243rd as of July 12, 2026. He recently demonstrated flashes of his past form with a tied-17th finish at the Genesis Scottish Open on July 12, 2026, where he posted an 8-under par. He is currently competing in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19, 2026, seeking to improve upon his T63 finish in the 2025 Open. While no longer consistently contending for major titles as he once did, his continued participation and leadership roles underscore his enduring commitment to the sport.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Francesco Molinari made different choices?