Francesco Molinari has set his sights on victory in the Portugal Masters having come agonisingly close to winning the title two years running.
The Italian has confirmed he will return to the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course in the stunning Algarve region of Portugal to try to go one better than the runner-up spot he claimed behind Richard Green 12 months ago and Lee Westwood in 2009.
Last year’s edition produced mixed emotions for the 28 year old, as two stunning rounds of 62 were interspersed with two 74s to leave him two shots behind the champion.
“The Portugal Masters is a great tournament and I have to go back there because it owes me a victory,” said Molinari, who is currently 18th in The Race to Dubai and 24th in the Official World Golf Ranking. “I am looking forward to it and it is a golf course that I really like because I have finished second there in the past two years.
“It is such a great time of year to go and play in Portugal. The weather is great and there is just a really good feeling about the tournament, the course and the hotel – it really appeals on all of those levels.
“I like the golf course – there are a lot of chances for birdies and you can really get it going around there, but if you are not careful it can catch you out. Just look at my scores from last year - that tells you everything.
“Last year was a really strange tournament for me because I shot two 62s and two 74s which is very unlike me but at least I went 74-62-74-62 to have two good comebacks. It would have been worse the other way around.”
Molinari’s elder brother, Edoardo, is also in the field for the €2.5 million event from October 13-16, as are several of the siblings’ 2010 Ryder Cup team-mates, making it one of the strongest line-ups in the tournament’s history.
They are joined by Ross Fisher, Peter Hanson and Martin Kaymer, all looking to make early moves towards qualifying for the 2012 European Ryder Cup Team.
Edoardo Molinari said: “The Portugal Masters is one of those great weeks on Tour that is great fun to play in. It has a great personality for a lot of reasons. The weather is usually perfect, the hotel is outstanding and the golf course is really enjoyable to play.
“All of the tournaments we play on The European Tour will have extra significance because The Ryder Cup (qualifying) has started and will be going for the next year, so the Portugal Masters gives me a great opportunity to make a fast start to try and qualify for the team again.
“That is one of my most important goals over the next year and that’s why I will play almost all of my golf on The European Tour from now on.
“I didn’t start trying to qualify for the last Ryder Cup Team until January 2010 because I was playing on the Challenge Tour so to have an early opportunity to get points on the board in tournaments like the Portugal Masters is very important for me.
“I always think that it is easier to lead from the front than to try and chase and I think that will be the same when you are trying to win points in The Ryder Cup qualification.”
Frederico Costa, Vice President of Turismo de Portugal, one of the Host Sponsors of the Portugal Masters said: “We are delighted with the very strong field which is coming together to compete for the Portugal Masters title at the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course next month.
“The tournament, now in its fifth year, has quickly established itself as a firm favourite amongst the players who enjoy not only what Portugal has to offer in terms of golf courses and golf resorts, but also the traditional warm welcome and hospitality which we always accord to everyone who visits our country.”
