Francesco Molinari chose Potomac, Md., over Paris and made it pay off.
Molinari became the second native Italian to win on the PGA Tour, closing with an 8-under-par 62 to capture the Quicken Loans National by a whopping eight strokes over Ryan Armour at TPC Potomac at Avenal Farm.
Molinari tied the course record of 62 set by Kevin Streelman in the second round and equaled by Abraham Ancer of Mexico in round three.
“It was not easy to skip Paris and the Open de France, but I needed the FedEx Cup points,” said Molinari, who guaranteed himself a spot in the playoffs on the U.S. tour with his seventh professional victory. “I think last year, I missed the playoffs by one stroke, so this was the right decision.
“It’s amazing, amazing. I’m really proud of what I have done. I got what I came here for. That was my mission today (to win), and I got it done. I played so well, especially at the start of the back nine. I hope a lot of people were watching it (on television) back home.”
Molinari, who became the first Italian to win on the PGA Tour since Toney Penna in the 1947 Atlanta Open, recorded a 72-hole score of 21-under 259. He sank a 49-foot eagle putt on the 10th hole and followed with four straight birdies to pull away.
Armour, who claimed his first PGA Tour victory last year in the Sanderson Farms Championship, posted a second straight 68, while Sung Kang of South Korea was nine shots back in third after a bogey-free 64.
Tournament host Tiger Woods carded a 66 to wind up 10 behind in a tie for fourth with third-round co-leader Ancer, who shot 72, while Beau Hossler of Mission Viejo totaled 68 and was more down in a tie for sixth with Bronson Burgoon, who wound up at 67.
Andrew Landry, who was tied for the lead after an opening 63, carded a 71 and was 12 strokes behind in a tie for eighth with Ryan Palmer, finished with a 67, and Brian Gay and Chesson Hadley, who both came in at 68.
Eighth-ranked Rickie Fowler tied for 12th after a 67.
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