Was T8 at the Abu Dhabi HSB Golf Championship in late January. Was in contention Sunday but could only muster a final-round, even-par 72 at Abu Dhabi GC.

Was T6 at the Volvo China Open in April, finishing six strokes behind Branden Grace.

2011: The 2010 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions winner recorded his only top-10 finish of the PGA TOUR season, with a T3 effort at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, set up in large part with matching 4-under 68s in the opening two rounds. Eventually finished three strokes behind Nick Watney in his bid to become just the second European (Darren Clarke) to win a World Golf Championships event.

Teamed with his brother, Edoardo, to represent Italy and defend the duo's OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup title. Italy finished 17th in the team event in China.

Enjoyed four top-10s on the European Tour, with a T5 at the Volvo World Match Play Championship his top showing.

He enjoyed a good week in his home country, finishing T8 at the BMW Italian Open. 2010: Capped a career-defining year by winning in November in China. Battled Lee Westwood, then the world's No. 1-ranked player all week before eventually prevailing at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai. He matched scores with Westwood in the second, third and final rounds but won the tournament with a first-round 65 at Sheshan International GC to Westwood's 66.

Finished ninth at THE PLAYERS Championship in his first appearance at TPC Sawgrass. In a second-round 65, hit all 18 greens in regulation, the first time that had occurred at TPC Sawgrass since in-depth hole-by-hole statistics began in 1992. Finish came on the same day Francesco's older brother, Edoardo, finished T13 at the BMW Italian Open in Turin, Italy. It was his first top-10 on the PGA TOUR since a T10 at the 2009 PGA Championship.

Earned a playing spot on the 2010 European Ryder Cup team and compiled a 0-2-1 record during the European victory.