Francesco Molinari was voted golfer of the year by the European Tour for the first time on Monday, ending an exceptional season in which he won the British Open and became the first Italian major champion.

Italian Francesco Molinari named European player of the year

Francesco Molinari - Photo: DR

The 36-year-old also won the PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Tour's flagship event, and collected five points in the 2018 Ryder Cup to help Europe beat the United States.

"It's a prize that means a lot to me and is a good way to end a very special year"Molinari said in a statement.

“Winning at Wentworth, at one of our biggest events, gave me a lot of confidence for the summer, but obviously winning The Open at Carnoustie, becoming the first major champion of my country, it was incredible. "

Molinari, who became the first European player to win five out of five points at the Ryder Cup in September, closed a remarkable year by winning the Race to Dubai title.

“Winning the Race to Dubai and being part of the European Ryder Cup team in France was incredible”, he added.

“I will always come back to this season and be proud of what happened. "