Weigh in: Should Francesco Molinari have conceded his match with Tiger Woods?
One detail lost in the shuffle of the Europeans’ big comeback on Sunday was the way the final match ended. With 14 points and the Cup in the bag, some thought it would have been a nice gesture for Francesco Molinari to concede the 18th hole to Tiger Woods.
Even Molinari thought about giving Tiger the match, but he was overruled by the team’s captain, Jose Maria Olazabal. “I thought about giving him the halve on the fairway, but then the captain was there, the chairman was the there, they told me, it’s not the same, winning or halving, so get focused and do your best, and that’s what I did,” Molinari said. “So I just tried to win the hole, to win the tournament, basically.”
Sports Illustrated’s Alan Shipnuck shared his thoughts on the issue via Twitter:
I’ve been thinking a lot about the end of the Tiger-Franky match. There’s a lot to deconstruct. So here goes.
-Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 1, 2012
It was Olley who told Molinari in the 18th fairway to win the last half point and seize the Ryder Cup rather than settle for a tie.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 1, 2012
It’s worth noting that Franky said his initial inclination was to concede the hole from the fairway. That was before conferring w/Olley.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 1, 2012
As for Tiger’s concession, was it magnanimous, or petulant? He admits he basically stopped trying as soon as Kaymer’s putt dropped.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 1, 2012
Bottom line, I don’t think anybody was in the wrong here. It was an interesting situation that revealed something about all 3 men.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) October 1, 2012
Francesco Molinari also told his story:
I thought it was more respectful to make him hit his putt. No intention to disrespect anyone, we both fought hard for 17 holes
-Francesco Molinari (@F_Molinari) October 2, 2012
My view: either we half the hole on the fairway or we play for it. My putt was shorter than his and it wasn’t conceded at that point
-Francesco Molinari (@F_Molinari) October 2, 2012
What do you think? Should Molinari have conceded? Did Olazabal do the right thing? Share your comments in the space below.