A glittering amateur career featured two Italian Amateur Stroke Play victories and a 2004 triumph in the Italian Match Play as well as representative honours for both his nation and Europe.

Turned professional in 2004 and earned his card for 2005 after successfully navigating Qualifying School.

Claimed his maiden victory in his second season on Tour, becoming the first Italian for more than 25 years to win the Italian Open in 2006.

The younger brother of fellow professional Edoardo, they memorably teamed up in The 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, a year after winning the World Cup of Golf together for Italy in 2009.

Also became the first Italian winner of a World Golf Championships event, claiming the 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Earned a place on Europe’s Ryder Cup side in 2012 after his third DP World Tour victory at the Open de España. Sealed the half point which secured victory at the Miracle at Medinah in the final Singles match against Tiger Woods (Europe had already retained the Cup courtesy of Martin Kaymer's win over Steve Stricker).

Won the Italian Open for the second time in 2016.

Enjoyed an incredible 2018 as he became the first Italian to win a Major Championship, triumphing at The 147th Open. Just three weeks before his triumph at Carnoustie he earned his maiden PGA TOUR victory at the Quicken Loans National by a mammoth eight strokes and earlier that season he won his first Rolex Series event at the BMW PGA Championship.

He also earned a place in the 2018 Ryder Cup side at Le Golf National after missing the previous two editions, and he played a starring role as he claimed five points from five matches, four of those alongside close friend Tommy Fleetwood, before sealing the winning point against Phil Mickelson in the Sunday Singles. He became the only European player in history to earn five points from five.

Molinari ended 2018 as the winner of the Race to Dubai, becoming the first Italian to top the season-long standings in the Tour’s history.

Secured his third PGA TOUR victory at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Captained Continental Europe to a 14½ - 10½ victory over Great Britain & Ireland in the inaugural Hero Cup in 2023.