Molinari win could boost golf in Italy

A thrilled Francesco Molinari said Sunday he hoped his stirring win at the HSBC Champions over world number one Lee Westwood would give golf a lift back home in football-mad Italy.

“I mean, football, it’s huge in Italy. We are trying to change that,” Molinari said after securing victory to give himself an early birthday present a day before he turns 28.

Both Molinari and his older brother Edoardo were in Europe’s Ryder Cup team and his success in Shanghai follows compatriot Matteo Manassero’s win at the Castello Masters last month. That victory made Manassero the youngest-ever European Tour winner, at the age of 17.

“You know, me and Edoardo and Matteo, we are doing our best to have news in the newspaper about golf, and I think we are doing quite well. So hopefully they will start talking a bit more about golf, as well,” Molinari said.

Molinari led the HSBC Champions from day one and hardly put a foot wrong through the tournament in an impressive display as he refused to bow to a relentless Westwood. SHANGHAI