Francesco Molinari finishes with spectacular putt on the 18th hole

Italian golfer Francesco Molinari displayed a master class on the final day at the Arnold Palmer, but saved the best for last, hitting an almost impossible 44-foot putt to make birdie and solidify the win.

Reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari played a steely game of bold golf, when nerves failed so many others. The Italian clocked in eight birdies to sprint ahead of the pack, including Rory McIlroy and Matt Wallace. But it was the flourish with which he finished that everyone will remember.

Leading by a few strokes all day long, all Francesco Molinari needed to do once he got to the 18th hole was to par. Instead, what he did was magic, deftly locking in one final birdie from 44 feet back. Now that’s how you finish. Just listen to the Italian broadcasters celebrate the clutch.

“To get it done here, on this place, knowing my wife and kids are watching back home, is very special,” Molinari said afterwards.

The Claret Jug was on display at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, to honor the legend the tournament was named after. Palmer won the Claret Jug in 1961, and then followed it up with a back-to-back Open victory. The most recent Claret Jug owner is Francesco Molinari, having established himself as a significant golfing force with his first major at Carnoustie last year. Perhaps the Claret Jug brought the Italian luck as he soared through the holes on the final day of the Arnold Palmer.

“Incredible, it’s high up there with the best wins I’ve had,” said Molinari in his on-course interview afterwards. He also spoke of his respect for Arnold Palmer. “Arnie was a special player, but most of all a special person, globally for the game. For someone like me coming from Italy, obviously he and Jack [Nicklaus], were up there as gods. To win here is very special.”

What impressed most was the flair with which Francesco Molinari won. He moved up the leader board all day. Here’s where he tied for second with a birdie at the 12th hole:

Watch him handle chipping in from the rough with no worries:

And then of course there’s the birdie winner on the 18th. It was such a thing of beauty, that it’s worth revisiting, this time from an aerial angle that shows what a gift of daring precision it was:

The three-time PGA Tour winner expertly handled the pressure on Sunday, and is entering The Players a serious contender for the title.

“I can’t wait to get there … I’m looking forward to next week,” said a confident, relaxed Molinari.

Francesco Molinari had a fantastic year last year, with the first major win at The Open and capping off Team Europe’s win at the Ryder Cup. The Italian finished off 2018 as the true MVP of golf. It’s looking like 2019 may be another terrific year for the Italian sensation.

The Players takes place Thursday, March 14, with coverage beginning on The Golf Channel.