HERO CUP

January 14, 2023

Francesco Molinari

Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Continental Europe

Quick Quotes

Q. We'll start with your own personal performance today, two matches, two points, playing with Nicolai. Fantastic to get a point on the board?

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Yeah, we have had an amazing day, the two of us. I didn't really know him much before this week. We played together I think once at The Italian Open last year. Obviously got in the team sort of last minute, but he's been absolutely amazing.

Yeah, we had a great time out there enjoying ourselves and having fun and hitting some good golf shots. Amazing day for the two of us.

Q. Both matches seemed to ebb and flow between both sides as well out there.

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Yeah, I think all the matches have been really close so far which is great to see. It's definitely a really competitive, fair spirit. I think it's been a great success so far.

Obviously to make it a success for us, my team, we need to go out tomorrow and play some really good golf.

Q. Obviously all can change in the singles, and you only have yourself to rely on. As such, how much are you looking forward to taking on that challenge yourself?

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Yeah, it's going to be different. I think obviously all of us, we are going to miss our teammates a little bit but on the other hand, next week we are back to stroke play, four rounds. Obviously it's a good way to transition back into being a bit more individualistic and just try to win or halve your game.

Q. You mentioned all the matches have been quite close and there's been times today where your team has been quite hard behind and you might not have seen it on the course but how proud are you of their fight back today?

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Yeah, very, I was looking at the boards and sometimes I saw a bit more grey than I would have liked. But yeah, they have been amazing. I think that the great commitment they have shown since they got here on Monday and Tuesday practicing and going through all the right processes, they have been amazing.

So I'm having a great time, and obviously we are one thing to go out tomorrow and hopefully get the job done.

Q. You'll have a two-point lead going into tomorrow. What will be the key message overnight for your team?

FRANCESCO MOLINARI: Well, we need to win tomorrow's session. We've done a great job winning two sessions out of three, and halving the other one. So we need to go out and win the session. Two points is nothing. We have been obviously in situations where much bigger margins were eroded. But I've got full trust and confidence in all the other nine guys, so looking forward to the challenge of tomorrow.