Sport | Golf

Molinari boosted by Dubai outing

Italian's fourth-place finish at Desert Classic should see him climb into top 50

  • By Duane Fonseca, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 February 8, 2010
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Francois Nel/Gulf News
  • Edoardo Molinari in action at the Dubai Desert Classic. The Italian is looking to keep his form going after finishing fourth.

Dubai: Edoardo Molinari says his top-five finish at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has boosted his confidence and really got him thinking about defending a top 50 position in the official world golf rankings.

Italian Molinari shot a one-under 71 for a nine-under 279 total that helped him tie fourth alongside Martin Kaymer, two shots off joint leaders Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who forced the tournament into a nervous play-off.

Molinari's fourth place should help him climb into the world's top 50 and it's a spot he hopes to hold onto for a long time.

"Nine-under was not going to be good enough, but it was a good week anyway. Especially in a tournament as big as this with a huge field, one of the best fields of the year. Finishing top five is great for your confidence and for the Race to Dubai as well," said Molinari, who arrived in Dubai ranked No 53 in the world.

Experience

"I feel more prepared and more experienced. I think my game has been a lot better since the last time I played on Tour. Obviously, there are still some things I want to improve and change, but I'm on the right track, and hopefully I'll just keep getting better."

Molinari will now head to the United States where he will next play in the World Golf Championship Accenture Match Play event in Arizona.

"That should be absolutely exciting and then I'll hopefully get a bit of excitement in Doral as well [during the CA Championship in Florida]. I should be in the top 50 after [Dubai] so I just need to stay there.

"I'll go to Doral, and then between Doral and the Masters I think there are a couple of events in the States that I'm going to play at. I don't like to travel too much, but as I said, I need to stay in the top 50 and for that I need another good week at the Match Play."

Molinari, 28, who won the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup alongside his brother Francesco, said his putting let him down in Dubai, but that he was happy with his outing at Emirates Golf Club.

"All in all I'm quite pleased. I think my putting let me down during the week in some ways.

"[Yesterday] as well, I missed a lot of chances, but it's still early in the year and I'm playing quite well. All in all I'm happy."

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