Edoardo Molinari believes his new swing is only at 30 per cent capacity despite finishing second in the weather-shortened Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
Molinari switched coaches in December after missing three months following wrist surgery and missed the cut in his first five tournaments this season.
But the Italian found form in sweltering conditions in Malaysia, carding a closing round of 67 to finish 12 under par and just one behind winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, in an event reduced to 54 holes after daily delays due to thunderstorms.
“Felt so good to be in contention again after 18 months,” Molinari wrote on Twitter. “New swing is only 30 per cent of where I want it to be but I’ve never hit the ball so well.”
The 32-year-old has not won on the European Tour since the second of his victories in 2010, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, helped persuade European captain Colin Montgomerie to name him as a wild card for the Ryder Cup that year alongside brother Francesco.
But teaming up with Sean Foley, who also coaches the likes of Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, looks to have paid dividends.
“It’s mixed emotions because I’m very happy to have a good week for the first time in a long time,” Molinari added. “The swing changes are starting to pay off which is surprising because I thought it would take a lot longer, but I’m disappointed because I had a lot of chances on the back nine.
“The 18th is only the second fairway I missed all day which is very disappointing. I felt if I birdied the last I might have won outright because it puts a lot of pressure on the guy coming up behind.”
Aphibarnrat handled that pressure superbly, returning to the 16th fairway after a two-hour storm delay with a one-shot lead, only to promptly hit his approach to three feet for a birdie and then save par from 12ft on the next.
That allowed the 23-year-old former junior world champion the luxury of taking six on the 634-yard 18th to complete a closing 70, sealing a wire-to-wire victory and the first prize of £303,000.
Denmark’s Anders Hansen (66) was third on 11 under, with France’s Victor Dubuisson (70) and South African Charl Schwartzel (71) joint fourth a shot further back.
“This means a lot to me,” said Aphibarnrat, who also qualified for this summer’s Open Championship at Muirfield recently. “I had been struggling a lot after getting sick with my thyroid but I fought and worked hard with my dad and my coach to have today.
“I have to thank my family, my mum and dad have always supported me and I am sure they are in front of the TV watching.”
