Akron, Ohio ….

Open Champion, Francesco Molinari ended his four-day WGC – Bridgestone Invitational campaign running virtually on the smell of a Firestone oily rag.

The first Italian to win a Major Championship posted Akron rounds of 70, 72, 70 and 69 for a one-over par tally that handed Molinari a top-40 finish.

Molinari was competing in the final Bridgetone event for an eighth occasion in his career and admitted, given his recent trans-Atlantic busy schedule, he was not at his 2018 season triple winning best.

Francesco Molinari signs autographs for young fans following his Firestone final round- Though not sure what the young boy inthe Puma cap is thinking.  (Photo @tourmiss)

Indeed, the result is Molinari’s poorest since winning May’s BMW PGA Championship and in a two-month that included a maiden PGA Tour triumph in capturing the Tiger Woods hosted Quicken Loans, finishing joint second in the John Deere Classic and a week later becoming the first Italian to be handed the Claret Jug.

“This week has been challenging energy-wise as I was low despite resting last week but I bit tired,” he said

“That was not only the result of winning The Open but the last two months and I knew sooner or later it was going to take a toll.

“My game has improved little-by-little as the week progressed here so hopefully in the next few days I’ll be ready for Bellerive.”