Francesco Molinari shared his first thoughts after his Sunday win helped win back the Ryder Cup and cap off a perfect performance at Le Golf National.
The Italian, winner of the Open Championship in July, became the first European to win all five matches after easily seeing off Phil Mickelson.
Precision play off the tee was coupled with clinical putting on the green all week, one that he described as ‘incredible’ shortly after wrapping up his singles duel on the 16th.
‘So much, so much more than majors, more than anything,’ said Molinari.
‘You know, it’s hard not to get emotional when you think about the other players, the vice-captains, Thomas, the wives. It’s been an incredible week. Obviously they had probably the strongest team ever and were just so good.’
The 35-year-old’s composure alongside Tommy Fleetwood, who was felled by Tony Finau, was key to Europe’s fightback after the pair prevented a clean sweep in Friday’s fourballs.
The point, secured against Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed, served notice that the Europeans would not be rolled over on their home soil.
‘Yeah, I just try to do things, be professional and obviously I had an amazing partner in Tommy.
‘Never felt like I had a rookie playing alongside me. It’s been amazing, and today, it was just hard to get the energy. It’s been a long week, playing five matches, but you know, again, I stepped it up when I had to and you know, that putt on the 14th was great. Just amazing.’
Molinari, who entered this year’s cup without a win to his name, lists the class of ’18 as the best he’s been a part of.
‘It’s been the best I’ve been a part of. You know, I said it at the beginning of the week, we gelled as well as ever and it was just incredible.’
