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Molinari Keeps DP Card After Qualifying Win

Originally posted on The Morning Read | By Alex Miceli | Last updated Nov 14, 2024 8:36 PM ET

After six qualifying rounds, Italy’s Edoardo Molinari birdied the last hole for a one-shot victory and a return to the DP World Tour for 2025.

Molinari is a three-time winner on the DP World Tour and a Ryder Cup Vice Captain, including the statistical genius for European Ryder Cup Team Captain Luke Donald last year in Rome.

“It means a lot to keep my card, especially as I’m 43 now. I’m towards the end of my career so any chance I get to play, I want to take it,” Molinari said after his final round four-under 67. “It’s not been my best year, but to finish like this and now to go home and be with my wife and kids, to spend time with the family, and then plan out next year, it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Molinari took the lead after the second round with a 10-under 62 and kept the lead, finishing at 29-under-par, one clear of Swede Niklas Lemke.

“I think on such a long week, it is important to get off to a good start and obviously it was the ideal start after two days. I couldn’t have dreamt about being 17 under par after two days.

European Ryder Cup Captain Donald must feel a sense of relief about Molinari’s six days in Spain.

The former U.S. Amateur champion works with players on stats, and he also worked with Donald to help with the captain's picks and pairings from a statistical perspective.

Having Molinari play his golf on the DP World Tour rather than the Challenge Tour or through a lesser category on the DP World Tour would have limited his access in a Ryder Cup Year.

“It was very good to finish on top,” he said. “I’m relieved to come out on top in the end. I feel I kind of deserve it after the way I played all week.

Final Stage Qualifiers:

Edoardo Molinari
Niklas Lemke
Davis Bryant
Albert Boneta
Alexander George Frances
Wilco Nienaber
Clément Sordet
Ryggs Johnston
Bastien Amat
Jean Bekirian
Joshua Berry
Justin Harding
Ben Schmidt
Benjamin Follett-Smith
Corey Shaun
Gregorio de Leo
Dan Erickson
Jacob Skov Olesen
Wil Besseling
Tadeáš Tadek
Danny List