Francesco Molinari

The younger, by nearly two years, of the golfing Molinari brothers, Francesco upstaged even the exploits of his elder sibling, Edoardo, at Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club in Milan in early May 2006. Just nine months after Edoardo became the first Italian winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion, Francesco thrilled the Milanese crowds by capturing the Telecom Italian Open, the first success in the event by an Italian since Massimo Mannelli, 26 years earlier. Put up a brave defense of the title in finishing joint third in 2007 after a final round of 65. Enjoyed his best season to date in 2008, thanks to one second, a third and a fourth place finishes. Enjoys snowboarding in the winter and playing football when not supporting Inter Milan.