Italian job

Carnoustie, July 22 

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Francesco Molinari became Italy's first Major champion after firing a closing 2-under 69 to win the British Open at Carnoustie on Sunday. The 35-year-old from Turin underlined his status as the hottest player in world golf by finishing with an 8-under 276.

Molinari, playing alongside former world No. 1 Tiger Woods in the final round, produced a joyful first-pump and hugged his caddie after holing a five-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole. It was the Italian's third victory in five starts. He also ended as runner-up in the other two tournaments.

Woods appeared ready to end his 10-year victory drought in Majors midway through the round. The American topped the leaderboard until his hopes nosedived following a double-bogey at the 11th and another dropped stroke at the next hole. The 14-times Major winner had to settle for a closing 71 and an aggregate of 279. “The way Francesco played today was beautiful,” said Woods after ending in a tie for the sixth spot. England's Justin Rose (69), Rory McIlroy (70) of Northern Ireland and American duo Kevin Kisner (74) and Xander Schauffele (74) finished in joint second place, two shots behind the winner.

Shubhankar ends tied-51 

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma squandered a promising start to card a two-over 73 in the final round and end his campaign at tied-51 today. After being two-under in the first five holes, Sharma had a lapse in concentration as he eventually ended with a four-day total of a 4-over 288. 

Sharma, the youngest Indian ever to make the cut in a Major, began the week with 73, and ended it with a similar card. In between, he scored two par rounds of 71 each. “It was a tough finish for me but I started off well. I was hitting it good and then I lost my concentration in the middle and made some bogeys. I was trying hard to get the momentum back towards the end of the round,” said the 22-year-old Indian. — Agencies