Mark Roe told Golf Night that Francesco and Edoardo Molinari's World Cup victory will be huge news in Italy.
Title success is reach reward for strong seasons, says Roe
Italian golf will reverberate with news of Francesco and Edoardo Molinari's World Cup triumph.
That's the view of
Golf Night's Mark Roe, who said the brothers' success at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, will help to raise the profile of the sport in their home country.
The pair held their nerve to fire a four-under-par 68 in the last round foursomes to resist challenges from Ireland and Sweden and earn Italy's first World Cup triumph, prompting wild celebrations on the final green.
"It (the celebrations) was worthy of a winning World Cup goal, wasn't it? That's just how excited they should be," said Roe. "It's almost as though the whole season has been culminating to the two brothers bringing this home for Italy.
"They've had great seasons and you couldn't possibly go to the World Cup of Golf and win it for Italy unless you had that sort of run of form going in there.
"They just did everything right. Francesco's chip shot at the 17th was just brilliant; the bunker shot at 18 was one of the best bunker shots I have ever seen in my life. It's huge to Italian golf."
Strong
So strong was the partnership between the brothers that Roe believes they could even have an outside shot of making Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup team.
"I think Francesco will get very close to the Ryder Cup team if not make it with the consistency that he shows. I think they are both strong candidates to have good seasons and make it," he said.
"You have to say huge congratulations to
Golf Night's Dennis Pugh. He has worked now with these two guys for eight years and he's built those golf swings.
"It's fantastic to see these guys producing under pressure. That what's all the hard work is about. They were faultless (on Sunday), the Italians. It was brilliant."
The victory capped what has been an impressive season for the Molinaris; Eduardo has been a three-time winner on the Challenger Tour, while Francesco finished 14th in the Race to Dubai.
Golf Night pundit Simon Holmes reflected: "They are two very impressive brothers. Eduardo won the US Amateur - the first European to win it since 1911. Francesco then goes and wins his home title - the Italian Open.
"There's no doubt this is the highlight (of their career so far). This is their crowning achievement. It's a massive thing for Italian golf."
