|
 Italian Molinari, who along with brother Francesco was part of
Europe's thrilling 2010 triumph over the United States at Celtic
Manor, took one of the three Open spots available from the
tournament at the Fota Island Resort in County Cork.
The other two Open qualifying spots up for grabs at the Irish event
were taken by English duo Matthew Baldwin and Danny Willett after
both finished tied for third.
Willett posted a hole-in-one on his way to a course-record 63 in the
third round on Saturday.
Molinari, 33, said he was delighted to earn a place at the 143rd
Open, which will be staged at Hoylake near Liverpool, having endured
two operations on his left wrist since his appearance at the 2012
U.S. Masters.
"It is very exciting that after two years with an injury and all
sorts of problems that I will be back to play this major especially
now that I'm hitting the ball probably the best I've ever hit it,"
Molinari said in a statement issued by Open organizers the R&A.
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"I played Royal Liverpool in my last event as an amateur so it has a
special place in my heart."
The Irish Open is the fifth stage in the Open Qualifying Series
which continues at the Quicken Loans National on the U.S. PGA Tour
next week.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Tony Jimenez)
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