Francesco Molinari was delighted to start his WGC – Cadillac Match Play campaign with a comprehensive 5 and 4 win over Adam Scott in San Francisco.
The Italian lost the opening hole against the former Masters Tournament winner, but three bogeys in four holes from Scott allowed the two-time Ryder Cup star to race two up through six.
A birdie from five feet at the tenth put Molinari three ahead and, after Scott bogeyed the next, a tee shot to inside three feet of the 13th led to a five-hole margin.
“I'm a bit surprised, to be honest,” said Molinari. “I haven't hit a ball in the last three weeks because I was injured. I guess I came in with low expectations.
“Adam had a tough day on the greens, I holed a few putts and hit a couple of shots close to the hole. Obviously it’s a good start.
“It's a course where you can make birdies, but you can easily get this trouble. The rough is quite strong, so you want to keep out of it. Just staying out of trouble I think was the key today.
“I think some courses are easier and some are harder. I think this one is pretty straightforward. It's a challenge, but it's in front of you, so you have to hit fairways, hit greens.”
