Decision to play in Ponte Vedra pays off for Molinari, caddie

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Italy's Francesco Molinari is bidding for his first victory in the U.S. at THE PLAYERS Championship.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Francesco Molinari and his caddie are making the most of their first trip to THE PLAYERS.

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Second-round coverage

WEEKEND NOISE: Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods hope to make big moves back into contention the next two days. Column COURSE INSPECTION: Surprised by the low scores? You shouldn't be. Softened TPC Sawgrass will yield an unpredictable weekend. Column SUPER SLOCUM: Heath Slocum quietly moved up the leaderboard with a strong start and a superb finish. Story CUT WATCH: John Merrick's closing birdie moved the cut line and sent several stars home early. Story GLOVER LIFTS JINX: Lucas Glover accomplished a first in his fifth career PLAYERS start. He hopes more come this weekend. Story VIVA ITALIA: Francesco Molinari faced a tough decision. His choice paid off for him and his caddie. Story WESTWOOD'S WINDOW: Lee Westwood again has an opportunity for that major U.S. victory. Is he ready to seize it? Story

The Italian member of the European Tour looked every bit like a seasoned PGA TOUR veteran Friday, carding a seven-birdie, bogey-free 65, hitting every green in regulation in the early afternoon hot streak.

As he greeted reporters, the other player burning up the course, fellow European Tour member Lee Westwood, who also turned in a 65, followed Molinari in the interview room, shaking his head with a smile and offering, "Well played."

Molinari, after an opening-round 68, sits one shot back of Westwood at 11 under.

"It's been a great couple of days," said Molinari, who birdied the first three holes Thursday. "Today's round was quite smooth. I was just trying to stay away from trouble. I'm really enjoying the golf course. I think it suits my game. It's a ball striker's golf course and you have to hit fairways and greens. I just have to be patient and take my chances. To win here, you're going to have to play every single shot in your bag."

The 27-year-old Molinari, who could be playing this week in his hometown of Turin at the BMW Italian Open with brother Edoardo, instead chose THE PLAYERS after qualifying based on the Official World Golf Ranking (he currently ranks 41st).

"The Italian Open is the only tournament on the European schedule in Italy and it was a really tough decision for me," said Molinari. "Obviously, they realized it was real important for me and my career to come here and play this tournament. THE PLAYERS is one of those tournaments that takes your career to a different level by playing it -- even if you don't make the cut."

Molinari played the Spanish Open last week and endured a poor Sunday finish that knocked him out of contention after starting the day tied for seventh. On top of that, flight delays from Spain to the U.S. shortened his preparation at TPC Sawgrass.

"Sunday was one of those days when nothing went right," said Molinari. "And I went to bed the night before knowing that there's nothing wrong with the swing.

"That's how I'm approaching this week. When the game is ready, you don't have to think too much about the golf course."

After a couple of days in Ponte Vedra Beach recovering from jet lag, he and his caddie of five years got down to business Wednesday and walked the course for nine holes.

"We just tried to focus that day," said Jorge Gramarra. "We both love the golf course."

And, if Gramarra liked it Wednesday morning, he liked it even more by Wednesday afternoon after winning the annual caddie contest at the 17th hole.

"I saw another caddie had hit it within five feet on No.17, so I said I must hole the shot to win the prize," Gramarra added. "Francesco just handed me his wedge and I left it two feet from the hole. I'm happy. The money I won goes to charity."

The tandem appears to enjoy the big stage, with Molinari finishing tied for 10th at the 2009 PGA Championship in Hazeltine, then making the cut at Augusta last month finishing tied for 30th.