Molinari Returning To Italy With Silver Claret Jug To Accept ‘Golden Collar’.

Dubai, UAE ….

It will have been some four months when Open Champion, Francesco Molinari finally gets to return home to Italy with the Claret Jug.

The London-based Italian simply has not had time amid a heavy 2018 schedule, along with becoming the first player in the history of European Team Ryder Cup competition to win all five of his matches, to take his young family home to visit his parents.

And what a triumphant journey home it promises to be for the 36-year old.

Not only will Molinari be carrying the most famous item of silverware in golf, namely the Claret Jug in becoming the first Italian to win a golf major, but on December 16th he will be the first non-Olympic Italian-born sportsperson to be awarded the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo.

The ‘Golden Collar’ was first awarded in 1955 and can only be bestowed on an athlete once in their sports career, for achieving the pinnacle in their sport.

Francesco Molinari will become the first non-Olympian to be honoured with the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar)

“Yeah, it’s going to be definitely a special moment. I’ve seen my family, you know, in London, but I haven’t been back to Italy yet,” he said.

“So there is a few people that I’d like to share the Claret Jug with. Probably a lot less people than the requests I get, so I’ll have to manage that, but it’s going to be fun.

“And it’s going to be great to receive the prize you (Bernie) mentioned in Italy. I’m going to be the first golfer to get it. I think so far it’s only been given to Gold Medal Olympics or world championships.

“You know, it shows how well my win at The Open was received in Italy and yeah, hopefully it’s another step towards
golf being more popular in Italy.

“Yeah, it will be well received, as well, that I get that honour.”

Other awards are sure to follow for the very modest Molinari.

They should include:

  • European Tour No. 1
  • Association of Golf Writers (AGW) Golfer of the Year
  • European Tour Golfer of the Year


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