MONZA, Italy — Home favourite Francesco Molinari withstood the pressure in a final-day struggle with Danny Willett to claim a second victory at the Italian Open on Sunday.
Molinari posted a final round of 65 to reach 22 under and become the first Italian to win a European Tour event twice.
The 2006 winner began round four with an eagle-birdie and held a four-shot lead with six holes to play but Masters winner Willett went birdie-eagle on the 13th and 14th to cut the gap to one.
Molinari bogeyed the 13th but birdied the holes either side and held his nerve to wrap up the win.
Spaniard Nacho Elvira and England’s Chris Paisley, who had led after the second round, shared third at 18 under.
Molinari and Willett had shared the lead as round three was completed on Sunday morning, following bad weather in the first two days.
More than half of Darren Clarke’s Europe team, including Willett, was competing in Monza ahead of the Ryder Cup at the end of the month.