And the day came when Francesco Molinari returned to the front pages of golf websites, social networks and TV. The images of the Piedmontese are circulating everywhere on the Internet: his credit is having made the cut for the 2024 US Open in an incredible way, to say the least.
Francesco Molinari from 177 meters…
With the expected cut at +5, the Italian entered the 177 meter par 3 of the 9th hole of Pinehurst No.2 with a +7 on the score that left very little to the imagination. The only – rational – hope was a birdie and a slip cut to +6. Luckily in our sport every now and then reason gives way to skill and a bit of luck. Francesco Molinari played par 9 (he started from the 10th hole) with a certain nonchalance, almost certain that he was packing his bags to return to Italy. Instead his tee shot bounced under the edge of the bunker, began to slide towards the shaft and his stroke stopped in the hole. An incredible hole-in-one with Chicco in disbelief and Sergio Garcia, teammate and Ryder, first to hug him with Min Woo Lee. Moral of the story: those images will be everywhere and Molinari will be on the court on moving day of this 2024 US Open.
The Austrian also played on the same hole a few hours earlier Sepp Straka he had succeeded in the feat of volleying (+2 final).
US Open 2024, Aberg in the lead
The protagonist of the day was by far Ludwig Aberg. The Swede, making his US Open debut, started strong and finished strong. Alone at the top in a Major: it’s the first time this has happened since 1985. For him a total of -5 (-1 on the day) and many chances to be the protagonist in the two remaining days. The future of European golf, namely Aberg, will have to be very careful in the next 36 holes because behind him there is a certain Bryson DeChambeau, much more experienced in tense situations such as a US Open can be. In one fell swoop, in addition to the American there is the Belgian Detry (his form is excellent) and the other American Patrick Cantlay (leader after the first lap). He has slowed down but McIlroy will fight it out to the end (-3) like Finau and Pavon.
He advances by a whisker Scottie Scheffler (+5) in a round destined to go down in history: the world number one didn’t even make a birdie. For him two bogeys and a double bogey
Many of the big names are already at home
The large group of those who will not be playing at Pinehurst in the next few hours is rich and varied. There will not be Tiger Woods with his final +7. There won’t even be Ryder Cup players in Rome like MacIntyre, Hovland, Rose and Homa (+6). Fowler is also at home (+7), same score as Edoardo Molinari.
Weekend off for former number and now LIV golfer Dustin Johnson (+9), as well as Meronk (+10), Justin Thomas (+11), Phil Mickelson (+15).
The adventure at the US Open ends for Matteo Manassero. The Italian ended the second round at +5 for a total of +14 shots.
