One of the highlights of the last Ryder Cup in 2018 was the bromance that ensued between Italy's Francesco Molinari and England's Tommy Fleetwood.
Molinari is unlikely to qualify for the European team for this year's edition - but he says he hasn't forgotten the connection he made with Fleetwood in France in 2018.
Molinari promises to keep Fleetwood on track at Ryder Cup
As it stands, Tommy Fleetwood is all but assured of a place on the European team for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. He holds a commanding position on both qualification lists, and it would take a catastrophe at this stage for him to miss out on a spot.
He was part of one of the greatest duos in Ryder Cup history in 2018, as the Fleetwood-Molinari pairing went 4-0 in their fourballs and foursomes matchups.
Tommy Fleetwood of Europe celebrates with partner Francesco Molinari after winning their Fourball Match against Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed of USA during the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
That year, Molinari became the first European player in history to win all five of his games at a Ryder Cup, but a combination of form and injury problems means he more than likely won't be part of this year's team.
It wasn't just their golfing swagger that took the Ryder Cup by storm in 2018 - the friendship between Molinari and Fleetwood was unlike anything seen in recent years in the Ryder Cup. Molinari was quoted today saying that, even if he doesn't make it to Wisconsin, he'll make sure that the friendship doesn't lose any of its charm.
I think Tommy will be fine. He's the kind of player that is very easy to pair with other people, but if I'm not there I'll make sure to phone him every night to keep him in the right frame of mind.
The injury problems that have beset Molinari this season have been immensely frustrating for the Italian, who was also part of the winning European teams in 2010 and 2012.
He spoke today of his disappointment at missing both the Tokyo Olympics and this year's Ryder Cup with injury, but that it will only motivate him to push harder for the 2023 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was very frustrating because I was looking forward to Tokyo. It's kind of the story of the season for me, being so stop-start.
It will be very disappointing not to be involved [in the Ryder Cup] but it's something I missed between 2012 and 2018 so I've been there in the past. It's not pleasant, but it's definitely motivating to do better and play better golf to try and get back in the team.
We know we'll miss the pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari at this year's matchup, but it sounds like European captain Padraig Harrington can count on an extra motivational voice from afar, even if Molinari can't be a part of the team.
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